2021 Get Link'd Conference

The 2021 Get Link’d Missouri Rural Health Conference is a crash-course in innovations improving access barriers to quality health care in rural communities. The conference will be held in person August 17-19, 2021, at the Old Kinderhook Lodge in Camdenton, Mo. Attendees can expect keynote speakers from national health associations, interactive breakout sessions, networking opportunities, a vendor product exhibit, among other exciting events.



Get Link’d was developed four years ago through a collaborative partnership between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA), Missouri Health Association (MHA), and Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA). According to MRHA Director Melissa Van Dyne, the partners decided to combine their respective individual rural health conferences. “Even though we might address health issues differently, there is still an overarching bigger picture and safety net for our rural health providers,” Van Dyne said. “We wanted to make sure we address all the different angles.”

COVID-19 Updates

The dangerous Delta variant of the coronavirus is spreading so quickly in the United States that it's likely the mutant strain will become predominant in the nation within weeks, according to federal health officials. As for Missouri, the Delta variant is cause for alarm in the state.

The CDC currently classifies the Delta variant (among others) as a variant of concern. Variants are categorized by three levels of severity: variants of interest, variants of concern, and variants of high consequence. The CDC does not currently recognize any variants of high consequence.

Rural Health News

Formally recognized in June 2008 (and still currently recognized today), Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month was created to bring awareness to the unique struggles that underrepresented groups face with regard to mental illness in the U.S. This year’s theme is Strength in Communities which will highlight alternative mental health supports created by and for people and communities of color.

Our 2021 toolkit will examine community-developed systems of support created to fill gaps within mainstream healthcare systems. These systems may overlook cultural and historical factors that impede BIPOC mental health. The toolkit will explore three topic areas: community care, self-directed care, and culturally-based practices.

• Community care: ways in which communities of color have provided support to each other. This can include things such as mutual aid, peer support, and healing circles.

• Self-directed care: an innovative practice that emphasizes that people with mental health and substance use conditions, or their representatives if applicable, have decision-making authority over services they receive.

• Culturally-based practices: practices that are embedded in cultures and are passed down through generations. They naturally provide resiliency and healing.

The toolkit will also explore why these types of care are valid and valuable choices people can make for their mental health. For more information about the campaign and resources for BIPOC, visit mhanational.org/july.