113. Scary – The Top 10 Scariest Issues Facing Behavioral Health in 2025

In this special “Scary” episode of Stepping In It, we dive into the top 10 most frightening challenges confronting behavioral health in 2025. From looming Medicaid cuts and crushing rural healthcare debt to the persistent stigma, workforce shortages, and the rise of AI in care, we uncover the realities keeping providers, patients, and policymakers up at night. Alongside hard-hitting issues like transportation barriers, lack of evidence-based practices, and growing isolation in rural communities, we also tackle the unexpected—Bigfoot. Yes, you heard that right. If researchers can track Sasquatch sightings across the country, why is it still so hard to connect people with a therapist? Join us for a mix of data, dark humor, and serious conversation on the scariest realities shaping behavioral health today.In this episode, you will be able to:Explore the top scariest issues facing behavioral health in 2025.Hear how funding challenges, stigma, and technology are shaping care.Learn about rural healthcare struggles from the frontlines.Discover how policy, workforce, and community voices intersect in reform.The key moments in this episode are:00:00:06 - Introduction to Episode 113: Scariest Issues in Behavioral Health 202500:01:08 - Family Costumes, Soup Holiday, and Traditions00:01:24 - Balancing Harvest with Halloween Parties00:02:00 - Coyotes, Full Moons, and Spooky Farm Nights00:02:53 - Transition into the Top 10 Scariest Issues00:03:44 - #10: Federal Funding Cuts & Medicaid Uncertainty00:04:38 - #9: Stigma Blocking Access to Care & Housing00:05:47 - #8: Cannabis & THC Policy Challenges (Texas Example)00:06:53 - THC Risks: Link to Psychosis and Psychiatric Disorders00:07:15 - #7: Technology & AI in Behavioral Health00:07:50 - #6: Transportation Barriers to Accessing Services00:08:15 - #5: Data Gaps and Research Limitations00:08:40 - #4: Evidence-Based Practices and Implementation Challenges00:09:10 - #3: Workforce Shortages Across Rural Behavioral Health00:09:45 - #2: Isolation and Its Mental Health Impact00:10:15 - #1: Bigfoot (Sasquatch) – A Lighthearted Wrap-Up00:23:05 - Closing Reflections & Bigfoot Crowned as Scariest of All00:23:15 - Self-Care Policy of the Week: Removing Hidden Triggers from Environments00:24:35 - Holiday Season Guidance: Making Sobriety an Easier Choice00:24:49 - Episode Wrap-Up & Preview of What’s NextLinks:https://www.bfro.net/gdb/ Connect with us: https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartnershttps://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4bdFqc50DMM