Rural Health
News by Topic: Mental health
May 7, 2024 - Discusses mental healthcare access in rural Texas where 60% of counties are Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Areas. Describes the strain on emergency rooms and other facilities in or near these shortage areas as well as the impact on patients. Discusses the role of telehealth in increasing access to mental healthcare.
Source: The Texas Tribune
May 2, 2024 - Profiles two rural Minnesota farmers - one baby boomer and one millennial - and their respective approaches to mental health. Discusses generational differences in stigma and willingness to seek mental health care.
Source: The Farmer
Apr 30, 2024 - Summarizes the proceedings of the Alaska Association of Student Government Spring Conference, held in the remote community of Utqiagvik. Highlights student resolutions, including support for Naloxone training and increased mental health resources in rural schools.
Source: The Arctic Sounder
Apr 30, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amending its medical regulations regarding Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) coverage. This rule removes the exclusion of audio-only telehealth visits. This rule also removes quantitative limitations on outpatient mental health visits and cost-sharing requirements for contraceptive services and contraceptive products approved, cleared, or granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This rule is effective May 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 29, 2024 - Highlights increased risk of mental health struggles and suicide among rural youth. Discusses a tech-based service delivery program in South Dakota.
Source: Public News Service
FCC: Open Commission Meeting Thursday, April 25, 2024
Federal Register
Apr 24, 2024 - The Federal Communications Commission will hold an open meeting on April 25, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. Agenda items include a discussion of a proposed rule that would require the implementation of one or more georouting solutions for wireless calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to ensure that calls are routed based on the geographic location of the origin of the call, among other things. The meeting can be viewed on the FCC website.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 23, 2024 - Announces the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and the associated Federal Action Plan, a plan developed by 10 federal departments. The National Strategy offers recommendations for addressing needs for at-risk populations. Highlights suicide rate disparities for various race and ethnicities. Includes links to the National Strategy, the Federal Action Plan, and other resources for mental healthcare access and substance abuse services.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Apr 19, 2024 - Summarizes a recent Arizona meeting addressing higher suicide rates in Native American communities. Notes the impact that long travel distances for reservation residents can negatively impact mental health. Discusses the role of historical trauma in disparate rates.
Source: Cronkite News
Apr 10, 2024 - Discusses mental healthcare access for children in Michigan schools, noting that workforce shortages most impact rural areas. Discusses funding, recruitment and retention, and training.
Source: The Mining Journal
Apr 10, 2024 - Discusses the need for mental health services in schools and how states around the country have used Medicaid reimbursement to fund those services. Notes recent policy changes that have made this possible and highlights challenges that remain in using Medicaid reimbursement, particularly for rural school districts.
Source: The Commonwealth Fund