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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Mental health conditions

County-Level Vulnerability Is Associated With Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Among Rural Suicide Decedents: A National Multi-Year Cross-Sectional Study
Presents a study on the relationship between individual- and county-level factors that correlate with rural suicide decedents who receive mental health and substance use dependence treatment. Breaks down data by county-level factors, such as number of mental health providers, number of primary care providers, and rate of social associations, among others, as well as individual characteristics, such as age, sex, education, and marital status, among others.
Author(s): J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Victor A. Soupene, Jennifer Van Tiem, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(4), e70094
Date: 11/2025
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Poor Mental Health Days and Depression by Farming Occupation and Sociodemographic Factors: BRFSS 2019 Data from 13 States
Analyzes 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey sociodemographic data from 13 states to compare poor mental health days and depression diagnosis between farmers and non-farmers. Discusses study findings in light of disproportionate suicide rates for people in farming occupations.
Author(s): Jeanne M. Ward, John R. Blosnich
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2025
Date: 11/2025
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Any Mental Illness or Serious Thoughts of Suicide in the Past Year among Adults
Report using 2022-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data to highlight adults experiencing mental illness or thoughts of suicide in the previous year. Appendix includes demographic and geographic characteristics of survey participants including 5 levels of urbanization by county.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Major Depressive Episode or Serious Thoughts of Suicide in the Past Year among Adolescents
Report using 2022-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data to highlight major depressive episodes and thoughts of suicide among youth aged 12 to 17. Appendix includes demographic and geographic characteristics of youth surveyed including 5 levels of urbanization by county.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Best Practices for Implementing the Continuum of Crisis Services Under Medicaid and CHIP
Provides guidance for states to maintain a continuum of behavioral health crisis care for patients covered by Medicaid and CHIP. Details core elements of the continuum of crisis care and how Medicaid and CHIP function within that framework. Highlights considerations for rural communities.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Fast Facts: Rates of Chronic Conditions Consistently Higher Among Adults in Rural Areas
Compares the prevalence of chronic health conditions and associated risk factors in rural and urban areas, utilizing 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Includes data on health conditions including obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and depression, among others. Includes state-by-state rural health data for select conditions.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: America's Health Rankings
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Stress, Health, and Injury Among Illinois Farmers
Highlights a study identifying and looking for correlations between work-related injuries, chronic health conditions, stress, and mental health conditions among agricultural producers in Illinois. Bases findings on a cross-sectional survey and breaks down data by demographics, farm characteristics, and physical and mental health issues, among other measures.
Author(s): Josie M. Rudolphi, Salah Issa, Courtney Cuthbertson, Kaleigh Barnett
Citation: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 68(9), 761-771
Date: 09/2025
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Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Americans
Analyzes characteristics of individuals with depression in rural areas. Utilizes 2024 National Health Interview Survey data and examines metro versus nonmetro demographic profile of individuals with depression as well as their health-related behaviors, physical limitations, and functional impairments.
Author(s): Adee Athiyaman
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
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NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) Detailed Tables - 2024
Explores 2024 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.
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Mental and Physical Health of US Rural/Urban Caregivers of Persons With Dementia
Presents a study on the physical and mental health of caregivers of people with dementia in rural and urban areas. Highlights access challenges for both physical and mental health in rural areas and compares rates of mental and physical issues among rural and urban caregivers.
Author(s): Phoebe Tran, Fei Wang, E-Shien Chang
Citation: PLOS ONE, 20(8), e0329260
Date: 08/2025
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