A Canadian model for developing mental health services in rural communities through linkages with urban centers

The development of mental health care services in rural areas has been a constant challenge in most countries of significant geographical size. By use of a case study from Canada, the development of a relationship between rural and urban mental health services was described. Issues including referral patterns, service accessibility, professional recruitment and the development of service in rural regions were studied. It is advanced that mental health administrators, policy-makers, clinical service coordinators and educators will find that this approach to the development of mental health services in rural areas has some utility in Canada and in other countries.