The United Methodist Church in De Smet. (File photo)

Starting this month, De Smet United Methodist Church in South Dakota will host a counselor to provide services to the rural community. De Smet, located in northeast South Dakota, is the county seat of Kingsbury County. The population was 1,056 at the 2020 census.

“I am excited for our community and our congregation. It is an opportunity to meet the needs of the community and for the church to be good stewards of our resources,” said Pastor Tia Felberg, who serves the United Methodist congregations in De Smet and Iroquois. “It is a partnership. Our congregation is open to being partners. It takes flexiblity, trust, and prayer.”

The American Psychiatric Association reported that rural Americans experience higher rates of depression and suicide than people who live in urban areas. Still, they are less likely to access mental health care services. Suicide rates among people living in rural areas are 18.3 to 20.5 per 100,000 residents — much higher than rates among people living in large urban areas (10.9 per 100,000). Additionally, many rural communities face a shortage of healthcare providers. De Smet, South Dakota, faces these issues.

“We really don’t have any mental health services in the town, and limited health care. The closest access is 30 minutes away,” explained Felberg.

In rural areas with limited mental health access, pastors act as crucial frontline supporters, providing a familiar, trusted resource for individuals. Pastor Tia discovered that she was spending time supporting members of the congregation and community who were facing mental health issues.

She said, “I would be at the church late evenings trying to do what I could for people who needed someone. It was beginning to take up a lot of time. I had a conversation with the local school superintendent, and she expressed the need for counseling services in the community.”

Felberg and the school superintendent did some brainstorming and reached out to counseling services in other communities. Rising Hope Counseling, with 25 mental health clinics throughout South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa, had shown interest in providing services in De Smet. An individual connected with Rising Hope, who lives in De Smet, was in the process of obtaining the credentials to be a full-time counselor.

The designated space for counselor at De Smet UMC.

“They needed a space to provide services. Our church is in the center of town, close to the school and other businesses. We have a nice building with some unused spaces. Our trustees and council did some brainstorming and research to see what needed to happen to provide a space for the counselor,” said Pastor Tia.

The congregation has opened its doors to the community in various ways, including The Sharing—a free community meal, Illuminate—an afterschool program, the More Than Diapers Ministry—providing basic baby supplies, and more. Offering a space seemed like a natural fit.

A contract for lease was set up between De Smet UMC and Rising Hope Counseling. It required some research and a review of policies and procedures.

“It has been a win-win. We had the space, and the service was needed. Our trustees went to work to look at what was needed to create the lease. The church has a business side. The congregation took the opportunity to brush up on policies and be good stewards,” Pastor Tia said.

Felberg shared that once the lease was in place, the space was readied by cleaning out existing items and painting.

“The space looks empty right now. People are excited,” she said.  “We saw the need, and we can help meet the need. It opens opportunities for the church and time for me to focus on other areas.”