142. Colorado Rural Health Conference Live: What We’re Learning About 988, Rural Access, and System Change Artwork

The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund

The Stepping In It Podcast is a weekly discussion of the latest news and trends in behavioral health policy development and practice. Each episode features interviews with experts from across the field, including policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates. The podcast provides listeners with practical tips and resources for improving the quality and access to behavioral health care.

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The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund

142. Colorado Rural Health Conference Live: What We’re Learning About 988, Rural Access, and System Change

May 19, 2026

0:00 | 31:38

In this live episode from the Colorado Rural Health Conference, we unpack real-time insights on the evolution of the 988 mental health line, the structural and cultural challenges shaping access in rural communities, and what it actually takes to build systems people will use. From cross-state coordination issues and shifting liability in crisis response to surprising data trends and lessons in collaboration, this conversation highlights both the progress and the persistent gaps in behavioral health systems. We also reflect on how to make the most of conferences as a tool for learning, connection, and meaningful change.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Understand the structural challenges impacting 988 utilization, especially in rural and border communities.
Explore how language, stigma, and cultural norms influence whether people seek help.
Learn what Colorado’s data reveals about who is actually using 988—and how.
Gain insights into shifting crisis response models, liability, and early intervention strategies.
Discover key lessons on collaboration, data overload, and leading system-wide change in rural healthcare.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:09 - Introduction & Live from Colorado Rural Health Conference

00:02:10 - Structural Challenges with 988 & Rural Access Gaps

00:06:35 - Border Communities, Geo-Fencing & Coordination Efforts

00:09:20 - Culture, Language & Why People Don’t Reach Out

00:12:45 - “It’s Not What You Build—It’s What People Will Use”

00:15:30 - Shifting from Crisis Response to Early Intervention

00:18:40 - Liability Changes in Crisis Systems & Law Enforcement Roles

00:21:55 - Colorado 988 Data Insights: Who’s Calling & Outcomes

00:25:10 - Emergency Departments, Law Enforcement & System Strain

00:28:00 - Lessons from Obstetrics: Coordination & Leadership in Care

00:31:15 - Data Overload & Rural Transformation Anxiety