People in rural areas can face unique challenges with mental health and access to behavioral health care compared to those in more densely populated communities: Rural Americans experience higher rates of depression but are less likely to access mental health care services. Suicide rates for those in rural areas are nearly twice as high as those in large urban areas—20.5 per 100,000 residents, versus 10.9 per 100,000, respectively.

Like other Oregon communities, the Medford area has experienced a rise in the number of people seeking help for mental health challenges. Jackson Care Connect (JCC) sees the need and focuses on nurturing the close partnerships it has built over the years in the tight-knit community.

JCC uses three strategies to help members in Medford and surrounding areas in southern Oregon take care of their mental health. They center around innovation and partnerships to meet members where they are.

“It breaks down into three pillars of focus that drive our work,” says Julia Jackson, LPC, Director of Behavioral Health for JCC.

Jackson described them this way:

• Sustaining a care network with multiple types of providers supporting individuals through their mental health or substance use recovery journey
• Coordinating communication among organizations to leverage funding for greater impact
• Improving regional funds of behavioral health services for the most traditionally underserved members.

Bridging providers at Birch Grove

One example of this approach is Birch Grove Health Center, a nonprofit collaboration in Medford that CareOregon funds. La Clinica provides this health center, in partnership with Options of Southern Oregon, Columbia Care Services, ARC and On Track. Birch Grove serves a high-needs population of more than 1,300 members. It provides immediate primary care access while connecting individuals to behavioral health providers from partner agencies who also work in the center. The collaborative promotes a wellness-oriented approach and ensures continued access for those with more serious needs, while reducing overall costs.

Getting in the PHLOW

Another JCC measure is funding the PHLOW Program at La Clinica. The goal is for members to be able to stay with their primary care provider and receive the appropriate level of care, while still having access to specialty acute services when necessary. 

 “It's a really innovative model of how behavioral health psychiatric consultation is offered to primary care providers so that they can feel more confident serving folks with high-acuity issues,” says Jackson.

The details of the model were recently published in an American Psychological Association scientific report. The report describes how patients participating in the PHLOW program showed potential drops in anxiety and depression, coinciding with a reduction in mental health claims. 

Increasing emergency lodging with Big Pinky

In collaboration with OnTrack Rogue Valley, one of JCC’s substance use treatment provider partners, JCC is also funding the remodel of a local Medford building known as the Sis Q Motel. This pink building with 12 rooms is affectionately known as “Big Pinky” and will offer emergency shelter to those waiting for residential treatment once it opens.

JCC is working to meet the behavioral health needs of its members, from primary care to emergency shelter, with the help of partners.

 “Our partners are responsive and innovative,” Jackson says, “and we're willing to match that energy with our support.”