Aging adults with serious mental issues (SMI), including bipolar disease, depression, and schizophrenia, often have multiple chronic conditions and high rates of comorbidities. One of the major issues for older adults with SMI is the widespread shortage of behavioral health specialists (BHSs) which has created a lack of mental health services in the US.

This article assesses rural/urban prescribing patterns in older adults with SMI by primary care physicians (PCPs) and BHSs, and by clinician type.