Abstract
While the rates of adolescent mental health problems in rural areas are similar to those seen in urban areas, serving adolescents in rural settings poses some particular challenges. This research focused on the challenges and advantages in the delivery of mental health services to adolescents in rural areas, surveying a total of 98 respondents with 28 responding, over four rural counties in western Wisconsin. Respondents consisted of mainly school-based providers. The survey utilized both quantitative and qualitative questions developed by this researcher and questions grounded in existing literature. Respondents noted the importance of social support, including family members and the community, knowing the adolescents well, and partnering with others in the community when delivering mental health services. Respondents spoke to the particular role of school settings in service delivery. Findings suggest a need for continued education and training in the area of the needs of adolescents who experience mental health problems in rural areas.