Telemental health service delivery to justice-involved persons With substance use: Staff perspectives

The purpose of this study was to understand the availability and use of telemental health with justice-involved adults under community supervision with substance use behaviors. Semistructured interviews were administered to 16 community corrections employees from rural facilities in a southern state on their knowledge and experience with telemental health. Thematic analysis using MAXQDA was applied. Five primary themes were found: (a) barriers to accessing face-to-face services, (b) barriers to accessing telemental health services, (c) barriers to accessing services exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic, (d) benefits of telemental health services, and (e) suggestions to improve mental health services. Findings revealed limited awareness of available services among staff, challenges to accessing services including lack of transportation or insurance, exacerbation of challenges due to the pandemic, and suggestions for increased training and funding for telemental health services.