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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Suicide and suicide prevention

Illegally Made Fentanyl Use in the United States: 2022 and 2023
Report highlights findings from the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) on the use of illegally made fentanyl across the U.S. Explores co-usage with other drugs, emergency room visits/hospitalizations, and breaks down user characteristics by age, poverty level, and rurality, among other measures.
Citation: NSDUH Data Brief, 2(2)
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Rural Veterans' Thoughts on High Suicide Rates in Their Communities—and on What to Do About It
Highlights a study on the perspective of rural veterans on methods for suicide prevention in their communities. Bases findings on a survey of veterans in rural counties in Oregon and explores perceptions around socioeconomic resources, person-centered healthcare, and having a strong sense of community.
Author(s): Lauren M. Denneson
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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Vermont Annual Suicide Data Report: Data through 2024
Presents an overview of suicide in Vermont, exploring trends, risk factors, and the burden of suicide on healthcare systems and communities. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Health Care Use Preceding Suicide by Firearm Compared with Suicide by Other Means — Alaska, Colorado, and Washington, 2020–2022
Discusses use of healthcare services, including mental health services, in the year prior to suicide for those who died by firearm versus other means, based on data from three healthcare organizations in Alaska, Colorado, and Washington. Includes the number of suicides by location of residence for rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Author(s): Julie E. Angerhofer, Maricela Cruz, Jennifer Shaw, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(21), 365-371
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Impact of Telemental Health on Suicide Prevention Care in U.S. Emergency Departments
Describes results of a survey of 977 hospital emergency departments regarding the use of telemental healthcare, and presents data by hospital characteristics, including rural location and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status. Explores whether access to telemental healthcare affects use of six recommended suicide prevention practices. Compares the use of suicide prevention practices among patients with identified suicide risk by telemental healthcare status and CAH designation.
Author(s): Stephanie K. Doupnik, Cadence F. Bowden, Diana Worsley, et al.
Citation: Academic Emergency Medicine, 32(9), 956-965
Date: 05/2025
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Minnesota Data Brief: Suicide Mortality Steady in 2024 - Rate is Lower than Historical High from 2022
Data brief examining deaths by suicide in Minnesota for the year 2024, including year-by-year and demographic data breakdowns. See page 4 for 2024 data on suicide rates by level of rurality.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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Rural and Urban Differences in Suicide in the United States, 2018-2021
Highlights the rates of suicide across the U.S. from 2018-2021 in rural and urban areas. Discusses some of the geographic and demographic characteristics that correlate with higher rates of suicide. Breaks down data by year, demographics, Census and HHS regions, and rural versus urban location. Makes policy recommendations based on the report's findings.
Author(s): Qian Huang, Nicole Galler, Michael Meit, Amy Wahlquist
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
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Exploring Spatial Dynamics of Trauma and Substance use Among Suicide Deaths in the United States (2017–2021)
Examines the spatial relationship among trauma, substance use, and suicide in the United States. Utilizes National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data to generate county-level U.S. maps showing hot spot analyses of traumatic events, suicides, and substance use. Discusses regionality and rurality related to hot spot trends.
Author(s): Bianca D. Smith, Kechna Cadet, Terrinieka W. Powell
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 22
Date: 05/2025
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Wisconsin Suicide Prevention Activity Report: July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024
Provides information on suicide prevention activities in Wisconsin between July 2023 and June 2024. Includes data on suicide rates, method of suicide, and demographics of victims, including rural versus urban residence. Discusses suicide prevention programs for various groups, such as farmers, adolescents, rural residents, and more.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
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Behavioral Health Epidemiologic Profile 2024: Rural Region, Nevada
Reports on behavioral health as of 2024 in Nevada's rural Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing, and White Pine counties. Includes general population statistics with detailed data on mental health, suicide, and substance use. Highlights topics in youth behavioral health and substance use among pregnant Nevadans.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
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