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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health

Pain in the Nation: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths - Special Feature: Youth Mental Health and Well-Being
Presents the rates of drug, alcohol, and suicide deaths in the U.S. in 2021 and from 1999 to 2021. Discusses the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on deaths of despair and the state of the ongoing opioid crisis. Includes a special feature focusing on youth mental health and well being. Highlights data on rural and urban communities.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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The Built Environment and Social and Emotional Support among Rural Older Adults: The Case for Social Infrastructure and Attention to Ethnoracial Differences
Evaluated 110,850 rural older adults to determine the connection between social infrastructure and social and emotional support (SaES). Looks for variance across demographic factors and discusses the implication for mental health.
Author(s): Danielle Rhubart, Jennifer Kowalkowski, Logan Wincott
Citation: Rural Sociology 88(3), 731-762
Date: 05/2023
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The Impacts of Opioid Addiction on the Rural Workforce
A recorded webinar that examines how the rural workforce has been impacted by opioid addiction. Discusses issues of healthcare access, poverty, mental health, and farmworker health, along with data on workforce impacts. Includes resources to support opioid recovery and examples of recovery efforts in specific regions, such as Appalachia.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Presentation, Transcript
Author(s): Kellie Kubena, Carol Wetuski, Lauren Wood, et al.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Appalachian Regional Commission, First Tennessee Development District, Office of Workforce Investment (OWI), U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care in Rural America
Recording of a May 2023 webinar discussing behavioral health and primary care integration in rural areas. Explores the importance of integration in rural areas, the barriers to integration, and opportunities for policies that can improve access to care. Features opening remarks from Tom Morris, Associate Administrator for Rural Health Policy at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and a panel of providers from Missouri, New Hampshire, and Texas. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Patient-Centered Care Through Nurse Practitioner–Led Integrated Behavioral Health: A Case Study
Examines the implementation of a nurse practitioner-led interprofessional team-based behavioral healthcare delivery model in 5 rural or medically underserved clinics in Texas from July 1, 2020, through December 31, 2021. Analyzes the first year of implementation of the delivery model utilizing multiple data sources, with a focus on barriers to implementation, challenges to sustainability, and successes.
Author(s): Cindy Weston, Elizabeth Wells-Beede, Alice Salazar, et al.
Citation: Public Health Reports, 138(1)
Date: 05/2023
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Achieving Behavioral Health Care Integration in Rural America
Provides an overview of behavioral health and primary care integration and how integration may be different in rural areas than in urban and suburban areas. Examines the barriers to integration in rural areas and opportunities for policies that can improve access to care. Offers policy recommendations to better coordinate and integrate primary care and behavioral health services for high-risk groups and expand the ability of primary care providers to handle the lower-acuity behavioral health needs of patients through enhanced payments, training, and improved access to behavioral health providers for consultation and referral. Builds on the March 2021 report, Tackling America's Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Through Primary Care Integration.
Author(s): Kendall Strong, Michele Gilbert, Julia Harris, et al.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Recruiting the Next Generation of Behavioral Health Professionals
Podcast episode regarding the recruitment, training, and retention of behavioral health specialists in rural areas. Discusses the University of Iowa Health Care rural psychiatry residency track and Public Psychiatry Fellowship program.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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When It's Not Enough: Sleep's Impact on Rural America's Health and Safety
Discusses the impact of sleep on rural health and public safety, with insights from clinical sleep experts, a federal public health agency representative, and Nebraska Extension.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Barriers to Rural Health Care From the Provider Perspective
Results of a study using data from interviews with 20 healthcare providers in rural areas of western Pennsylvania. Explores barriers to care, including cost and insurance, geographic dispersion, and provider shortage and burnout. Offers strategies for improvement, including use of telehealth, mobile clinics, and increased use of advanced practice providers.
Author(s): Avinash Maganty, Mary E. Byrnes, Megan Hamm, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 23(2), 7769
Date: 05/2023
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Understanding the U.S. Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage
Discusses the shortage of behavioral health professionals across the country and highlights some of the contributing factors. Breaks down factors affecting licensed providers, clinical supporters, community care workers, and frontline workers. Makes recommendations for policymakers and includes considerations for rural areas.
Author(s): Nathaniel Counts
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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