OSF Mobile Telehealth

• Pine Ridge is one of the most impoverished communities in the US, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health status of the community. Families have been emotionally stressed with further financial hardship, and the need to aid in their children's education due to school closures. Data from 2009-2018 “shows suicide rates for Native Americans in South Dakota are 2.7 times higher than for whites” and has been on the rise during the pandemic. As of September 1st 2020 there were 177 suicide attempts and 9 successful suicides, including verterens and childeren as young as 14. Furthermore, child abuse and neglect cases has increased as well. 

• Doctors, transportation, wifi and electricity are some of the barriers to accessing mental health support on the reservation. We want to work with the community and medical providers, via a Mobile Telehealth Unit, to help provide mental health support.

Mental health issues such as PTSD and depression are more common than people expect, and with the COVID-19 pandemic they have been on the rise. Utilizing a mobile Telehealth unit in underserved, impoverished, and rural communities can help people get the support they need. Initially, our team will be focusing our efforts on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation. However, we would like to include other tribal communities later on.    

The Mobile Telehealth Unit (MTU) would consist of a van and trailer that could handle off-road conditions (South Dakota roads can be difficult to travers during the winter and rainy seasons). The MTU would also have its own power supply, wifi capabilities (hot spot or satellite), as the Pine Ridge reservation has limited wifi, cell service, and electricity. In the trailer, there would be a space for patients to sit and use a computer/monitor to have mental health support sessions (which would include western and traditional methods, i.e.  PTSD counseling, couples counseling, traditional knowledge mentoring, support groups, career counseling, etc.)    

Our team has traveled to Pine Ridge several times to meet with; community leaders and members; non-profit organizations; individuals; and groups too better understand the challenges they have been facing. During a "Community Conversation" hosted by a local non-profit, the community talked a lot about the pain the community has been feeling from the loss of life to suicide. 

When people are depressed they have feelings of loneliness and isolation. We are looking to help people connect with medical health professionals, people within their community, and within the OSF network (including our teams personal networks). 

Although there are already models for Mobile Telehealth Units available, our team considers this a "concept" because this is a new venture for us. 

Initially, there will be 2 people that will be working full-time, and 3 part-time.