What We Do
In order to increase access to behavioral health services in outstate Minnesota, the Center for Rural Behavioral Health has identified three objectives:
1. Research
Providing a collaborative opportunity for faculty and community partners of a multidisciplinary background to conduct scholarly activity in regard to behavioral healthcare. An emphasis will be placed on research that improves quality and access to care in outstate Minnesota. External research funds can be applied for and housed within the Center.
2. Workforce Development
The Center will seek out external funds (State and Federal) to grow the behavioral healthcare workforce for outstate Minnesota. An emphasis will be placed on developing partnerships with communities to ensure a culturally representative workforce is in place.
Behavioral Health Career Exploration Program
Learn more about our majors that prepare behavioral health professionals
3. Continuing Education and Customized Training
The Center will provide licensure board required trainings in outstate Minnesota. The investment of providing these required trainings has shown to improve retention of providers in rural areas. In addition, the Center will host an annual lectureship at Minnesota State University, Mankato with hopes of inviting a nationally known speaker on the topic of rural healthcare. In the future, a statewide conference on rural behavioral health could be held on campus, or in conjunction with events that already occur such as the Health and Biomedical Sciences Summit.
