Rural Mental Health – Resources

"You Can't Do Anything by Yourself": Recruiting and Retaining Mental Health Professionals in Rural America
Discusses the challenges in recruiting and retaining mental health professionals in rural areas, as well as strategies and approaches to address the need. Features a Michigan mental health center CEO and state behavioral health organizations in Nebraska and South Carolina. Also includes insights from 3RNET, which focuses nationally on rural health recruitment and retention.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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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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Trends in Mental Health Care Utilization in Rural and Nonrural Areas, 2019-2023
Examines changes in mental healthcare utilization between 2019 and 2023. Utilizes National Health Interview Survey data to compare rural and nonrural trends related to mental health utilization, therapy, and medication. Discusses the impact of telehealth options and the COVID-19 pandemic on mental healthcare availability.
Author(s): Bryce J. Stanley
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70074
Date: 08/2025
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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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Seeking Connection: A Qualitative Study of Psychosocial Support Needs of Rural Cancer Survivors in Minnesota
Explores the psychosocial support needs of cancer patients and barriers to receiving support in rural Minnesota. Bases findings on focus group interviews of cancer survivors and highlights self-reported definitions of support in a rural context.
Author(s): Morgan Gruner, Katherine Brown, Renee Anderson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70066
Date: 08/2025
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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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Interstate Occupational Licensure Arrangements to Expand Access to Behavioral Health Services
Policy brief describing state-based provisions to expand behavioral health services through interstate licensure arrangements for providers. Discusses potential impact on provision of behavioral health services, including telehealth, with a focus on how expanded services might enhance access for rural residents. Features state-level maps showing where legislation has been enacted or introduced, as of November 2024.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, Janessa M. Graves
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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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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