Press Release
For Immediate Release
Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network (ABHIN) Receives Community Star Award
Recognized for Transformational Impact in Rural Healthcare
Eureka Springs, Arkansas—November 21, 2024
The Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network (ABHIN) has been honored with the 2024 Community Star Award for Arkansas, presented by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. This award is presented to organizations who “go above and beyond to improve rural health”. Nominated by the Arkansas Department of Rural Health, ABHIN’s dedication to making behavioral health services easier to access through a model known as “integrated behavioral health” or putting mental health and substance use services in the places people go (primary care, emergency rooms, etc) has been recognized as a game-changer for rural communities facing critical gaps in care.
Since its founding in 2019, ABHIN has been dedicated to making behavioral health services more accessible, particularly in rural and underserved areas designated as treatment deserts. All but three counties in Arkansas are considered mental health provider shortage areas meaning communities are going without the care they need. Through innovative programs, robust partnerships, and evidence-based strategies, ABHIN has worked with communities to leverage the power of integrated care to address key challenges such as the opioid crisis, mental health stigma, suicide prevention and postvention, and access to psychiatry.
A Legacy of Impact:
Over the past five years, ABHIN’s programs have contributed to transformation in rural healthcare access by embedding behavioral health services (mental health care, substance use disorder care, psychiatry, social work, brief therapy, etc) into primary care settings. Improving behavioral health in primary care is essential because primary care has become the “de facto” mental health system, with up to 75% of visits to primary care involving a mental or behavioral health concern. This number may be higher in rural communities due to the lack of specialty mental health and substance use treatment services. However, rural and independent primary care sites are less likely to have the resources in place to provide integrated care, particularly in the American South. Integrating mental and behavioral health services into primary care settings aims to support primary care in delivering behavioral health services by training doctors, nurses and other staff in care skills; supporting incorporation of brief interventions from a social worker into regular primary care visits; promoting universal screening for behavioral health concerns; introducing psychiatric consult models and much, much more. ABHIN provides training and consultation on topics that range from screening and treating opioid use disorder (OUD) to provider burnout and wellness to practice billing and value-based care. What does this mean for the patient? In short, a world of difference. With integrated care, when 15-year old Rebecca comes in for her sports physical for softball, she is also asked about depression. Not only is she asked about depression, but instead of referring her to non-existent mental health services in her county, her primary care doctor can connect Rebecca to a trained social worker who can come up with a plan for Rebecca in 20 min or less and follow-up with her a few days later, bringing her back in if there are concerns. Thus, Rebecca’s primary care office has the tools to take care of her as a whole person.
ABHIN has focused on opioid use disorder in rural Arkansas through three sequential Rural Communities Opioid Response grants. This funding has allowed the team to implement impactful initiatives, such as integrating peer recovery support specialists into nine healthcare facilities across north Arkansas and expanding naloxone access through new distribution sites.
“Rural communities often face unique barriers to healthcare, from geographic isolation to stigma surrounding mental health and addiction,” said Kim Shuler, LCSW, ABHIN’s Chief Executive Officer. “This award reflects the incredible strides we’ve made in Arkansas to bridge these gaps, ensuring every resident has access to compassionate, high-quality care.”
ABHIN’s innovative approaches, such as partnering with beauty salons to support naloxone distribution, producing their While You Wait podcast, or developing Peer Recovery Specialist Spotlight videos underscore its commitment to meeting communities where they are—both figuratively and literally.
A Path Forward:
ABHIN’s ongoing mission emphasizes the integration of behavioral health into the broader healthcare continuum, acknowledging that “there is no health without mental health.” By addressing social determinants of health, stigma, and systemic barriers, ABHIN is setting a national example of how to tackle rural healthcare challenges head-on.
For more information about ABHIN and its programs, visit www.abhinetwork.org.
Contact:
Kim Shuler, LCSW
Chief Executive Officer, ABHIN
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (479) 871-3611
About ABHIN
ABHIN is a nonprofit organization founded in 2019 with the mission of integrating behavioral healthcare into the healthcare continuum to improve accessibility, especially in underserved rural areas. Through partnerships, education, and innovative programming, ABHIN is leading the charge to create healthier communities across Arkansas.
