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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health

Western Region Household Survey Report: Findings from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey 2024
Reports on rural and urban demographics, economics, social environment, mental health, substance recovery, food security, and natural environment across the Western United States using 2024 data from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey from 4,502 households. Includes state-by-state rural-urban comparison data.
Author(s): Ahsan Kibria, Nadeeka Weerasekara, Thomas Trotter, et al.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
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Virginia's Licensed Clinical Psychologist Workforce: 2026
An overview of the licensed clinical psychologist (LCP) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2026 Licensed Clinical Psychologist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of LCPs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Mental Health Stressors and Barriers to Support Among Rural Farmers: A Qualitative Study of Agricultural Communities in the East South-Central United States
Explores how farmers experience mental health stressors, coping strategies, and barriers to seeking help via thematic analysis of interviews with 14 rural Kentucky farmers. Discusses farming-specific stressors, stigma, self-reliance, and lessons for suicide prevention.
Author(s): Jeanne M. Ward, Melissa Perkins, John R. Blosnich
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(8), 983
Date: 07/2026
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Strategies to Address the Rural Access Gap in Substance Use Services
Describes how community paramedicine and mobile substance use care units can address barriers to substance use treatment in rural areas, and how these programs can be supported at the state level via Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding.
Author(s): Rebekah Falkner
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Academy for State Health Policy
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Rural–Urban Residence in Relation to Cannabis Use Influences and Behaviors among a Sample of US Young Adults Reporting Past‐Month Cannabis Use
Examines how cannabis use behaviors and perceptions vary among rural and urban young adults via an online survey of 1,961 adults aged 18-34 who reported past-month cannabis use. Includes data on perceived harm, coping, frequency of use, driving under the influence, likelihood of mental health diagnosis, consequences of use, and more.
Author(s): Katelyn F. Romm, Amanda Y. Kong, Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg, Carla J. Berg
Citation: The American Journal on Addictions, 35(5), 622-632
Date: 07/2026
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North Dakota Statewide Traffic Safety Survey, 2026: Traffic Safety Performance Measures for State and Federal Agencies
Provides information on traffic safety issues among varied demographic groups in North Dakota and their beliefs, practices, and distractions related to driving. Includes rural versus urban comparisons about driving safety, driving under the influence, and more.
Author(s): Kimberly Vachal, Andrew Kubas, Jaclyn Andersen
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Provider Perspectives on a Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Healthcare Settings Serving Rural and Medically Underserved Areas of Texas: A Mixed Methods Study on Perceived Resource Availability and Value
Analyzes healthcare provider perspectives on the Taking Rural Texas Tobacco Free program, a capacity building program for reducing tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among healthcare providers, patients, and visitors in rural or medically underserved areas of Texas. Provides data and interview excerpts from 347 substance use treatment center and medical healthcare center staff.
Author(s): Abigail E. Bergey, Isabel Martinez Leal, Maggie Britton, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(7), 898
Date: 07/2026
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NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) Detailed Tables - 2025
Explores 2025 survey data on use of prescription and illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products, trends in substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illness, and access to treatment for youth and adults. Features statistics for a variety of demographic and geographic characteristics, including rural versus urban status.
Additional links: Methodological Resource Book - Section 2: Sample Design and Experience Report, Methodological Summary and Definitions - 2025
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Postoperative Pain Management in Rural Communities
Describes the University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence's approach to addressing opioid overprescribing after surgery. Discusses topics including provider engagement, patient empowerment and effective communication strategies, and rural implementation concerns.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence
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Veteran Satisfaction With Lung Cancer Screening Care: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation
Examines how satisfaction with lung cancer screening varied among rural and nonrural veterans receiving care at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers between 2018 and 2021, using survey data of 689 veterans. Includes data on how other demographic and clinical factors, including smoking status, influence satisfaction with care.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Lewis, Amber J. Hackstadt, Kathryn D. Snyder, et al.
Citation: Medical Care
Date: 07/2026
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