Community Mental Health Workers
Community Mental Health Workers

Rural Roads- The RCORPodcast.

Tim Rabolt discusses with Eric Schoen the impact of community health workers on mental health care in rural Nevada, highlighting innovative solutions and future visions.

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26:40•25 Mar 2026

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About this podcast

Rural Roads- The RCORPodcast.

RCORP-TA and JBS International

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is a multi-year initiative by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that supports grantees working to address behavioral healthcare issues in their communities. RCORP funding allows grantees to sustain programs and activities that improve access to quality behavioral healthcare services, including substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) services, in rural areas. This podcast focuses on the topics and issues most relevant for RCORP grantees nationwide. This podcast is supported by JBS International, Inc, through a grant award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov. Hosts: Isha Taylor-Kamara and Tim Rabolt; Producer: Samantha Garonzik; Editor: Alex Serban

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Episodes: 95

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Community Health Workers: Transforming Mental Health in Rural Areas

Episode Overview

Community health workers are crucial in addressing mental health needs in rural areas.
Integrated services reduce wait times and improve client satisfaction.
Local investment by community members enhances service sustainability.
Training community health workers in evidence-based practices is vital.
Vision for the future includes widespread deployment of community health workers.

“"What most folks want is somebody who will listen, who will bear witness to what they are going through."”

How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction? In this enlightening episode of Rural Roads- The RCORPodcast, host Tim Rabolt chats with Eric Schoen from Community Chest in Nevada. They delve into the crucial role community health workers play in tackling mental health issues in rural areas. Eric shares his unexpected journey from a mental health counselor in Portland to becoming the CEO of a small nonprofit in Nevada.

With humour and honesty, he explains how Community Chest provides a broad spectrum of services, from early childhood education to mental health counseling, all under one roof. Eric highlights the innovative use of mental health community health workers who are often locals, deeply invested in their communities. This approach has significantly reduced wait times for mental health services and improved client satisfaction.

Eric's vision for the future is a Nevada bustling with community health workers, all working together to strengthen their communities. This episode offers a unique perspective on how rural areas can overcome the challenges of limited resources and vast distances to provide effective mental health care. If you're curious about how community-driven solutions can transform mental health care, this episode is a must-listen.

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