Project Grant H79FG000867

RURAL PENNSYLVANIA MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE INITIATIVE - THROUGH THE RURAL PENNSYLVANIA MENTAL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE INITIATIVE, CEFF IS LOOKING TO EXPOSE THE REGION'S RURAL POPULATION TO THE LATEST TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE IN THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, PARTICULARLY DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE SUCH AS OPIOID ADDICTION. ACROSS THE U.S., THE PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS AGED 18 OR OLDER WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS HAS INCREASED. INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS ARE UP TO 40% MORE LIKELY THAN THOSE WITHOUT MENTAL ILLNESS TO USE ILLICIT SUBSTANCES. THE PROGRAM AIMS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL ILLNESS IN RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. BEYOND THE PERSON DIRECTLY USING SUBSTANCES, ADDICTION IMPACTS THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ECONOMIC HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY. CEFF WILL FOCUS ITS WORK ON THE COUNTIES OF NORTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA, INCLUDING BLAIR, CLEARFIELD, CAMERON, CENTRE, ELK, JEFFERSON, AND MCKEAN. FROM 2015-2020 THERE WERE 505 REPORTED ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THOSE COUNTIES (OVERDOSEFREEPA, N.D.). LOW-INCOME AND RURAL AREAS ARE AMONG THE MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE THE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE. RURAL AREAS OF PENNSYLVANIA ARE AT GREATER RISK DUE TO A LACK OF TRANSPORTATION, FINANCIAL INSTABILITY, AND RESOURCES OR HEALTH SERVICES TO ADDRESS THEIR ADDICTION. THESE REGIONS OFTEN LACK ACCESSIBLE HEALTH SERVICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE CONSIDERED "SPECIALIZED" SERVICES, SUCH AS ADDICTION TREATMENT. TO SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NEED, CEFF WILL PARTNER WITH MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS TO OFFER COMPASSIONATE, EXPERIENCED CARE, FROM COUNSELING TO ARRANGING TREATMENT IN A COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM. CEFF WILL ALSO EXAMINE EMERGING BEST PRACTICES AND LOCATE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES, IDENTIFY KNOWLEDGE GAPS AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES, OFFER USEFUL RESOURCES FOR THOSE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRESCRIPTION OPIOID USE AND MISUSE.