Access to mental health services at Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal facilities

2011

Information

Report
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

See This Resource

http://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-09-08-00580.pdf

At the request of Congress the DHHS Office of Inspector General (IOG) conducted an evaluation of mental health services at HIS and tribal facilities. IOG reported that one in five hospitals and clinics in Indian Country provide no mental health services and of those that did provide mental health services, access to some services is limited by shortages of highly skilled providers and by other staffing issues. In addition, the majority of AI/ANs attempting to obtain these services live in rural areas and face physical, personal/social, and economic barriers that limit access.