Shortage of mental health professionals
A shortage of mental health professionals in the region has local leaders looking into offering services through the Internet, known as telepsychiatry, in place of face-to-face consultations.

That's among the options under study following the region's designation as a "mental health professional shortage area," according to Cindy Zembryki, administrator of mental health/mental retardation services in Cameron and Elk counties.

Through video equipment and the Internet, telepsychiatry allows patients to speak with psychiatrists in real time. Zembryki said studies have shown that telepsychiatry can be as effective as face-to-face psychiatry if a professional, such as a case manager, accompanies the patient during the video session.

Among the obstacles is the fact that some insurance companies and government-funded health care systems have been resistant to pay for services that aren't face-to-face.

Zembryki said a shortage of psychiatrists nationwide, coupled with the reluctance by many professionals to live in a rural area, have forced providers to look at alternative ways of getting patients the help they need.

One way around the shortage has been an increasing mental health caseload for general medical practitioners. In some cases, those who suffer from depression receive prescriptions for medication from a general physician without consulting a mental health professional.

As a result of the designation, the agency is eligible for funding to help cover recruitment of psychiatrists, as well as innovative approaches to client services.

Meanwhile, the demand for services increases as the number of children in need of psychiatric support rises, she said.