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Rural Mental Health – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Mental Health.

Community Partnerships: Advancing Behavioral Health Access in Rural Communities
Profiles Eagle Valley Behavioral Health (EVBH), a nonprofit and community mental health center (CMHC) developed to lead community collaboration working to ensure access to high-quality behavioral healthcare in Eagle County, Colorado. Discusses EVBH's collaboration with Building Hope Summit County, a community-wide initiative in a neighboring county focused on suicide prevention efforts. Describes how these initiatives were able to shape local policy, expand the local behavioral health workforce, fund their efforts, and identify and fill gaps in care.
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Characteristics of Suicide Among Farmers and Ranchers: Using the CDC NVDRS 2003–2018
Explores the demographics, methods, and mental health statuses and histories associated with suicide mortality among farmers and ranchers. Breaks down data by age, gender, and rural versus urban location, among other factors, as well as suicide method, life stressors, mental health history, and others.
Author(s): Cristina D. M. Miller, Josie M. Rudolphi
Citation: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 65(8), 675-689
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
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Development and Evaluation of a Remote Training Strategy for the Implementation of Mental Health Evidence-based Practices in Rural Schools: Pilot Study Protocol
Presents findings from the development and evaluation of multi-tier positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) in rural and remote schools. Examines online training efficacy to assist rural schools in implementing PBIS via remote videoing and remote videoing plus coaching. Discusses need and strategies for training mental health professionals in rural areas to address health disparities.
Author(s): Ricardo Eiraldi, Barry L. McCurdy, Muniya S. Khanna, et al.
Citation: Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 8,128
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
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Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration in Rural Health Facilities: Policy Brief and Recommendations to the Secretary
Provides an overview of the prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders in rural areas. Discusses the role of rural primary care providers in treating these conditions. Outlines federal programs and resources to support behavioral health and primary care integration. Offers policy recommendations related to access to care; workforce recruitment and retention; telehealth, technology, and broadband; and reimbursement and sustainable revenue.
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Anxiety, Depression, and Access to Mental Health Care by Sexual Orientation and Rurality
Presents a study on rates of anxiety and depression by sexual orientation in relation to access to mental healthcare. Compares rates of anxiety and depression between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual individuals in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Courtney Sarkin, Mariana Tuttle, Gilbert Gonzales
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Recent Trends in Mental Health and Substance Use Concerns Among Adolescents
Report highlights the state of adolescent mental health and substance use across the country. Breaks down rates of suicides, drug use, drug-related deaths, and other behavioral health issues by race, sex, and sexual orientation, as well as by rurality.
Author(s): Nirmita Panchal, Robin Rudowitz, Cynthia Cox
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Answering The Call: 988 - A New Vision for Crisis Response
Discuss three areas important to implementing the 988 mental health crisis response number and behavioral health crisis response: interagency collaboration, the behavioral health workforce, and financing. Offers policy recommendations for developing a comprehensive crisis response system. Discusses rural considerations and challenges throughout.
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Trends in Mental Health Treatment Availability in Community Health and Community Mental Health Centers
Results of a study showing how the supply of community mental health centers (CMHCs) and community health centers (CHCs) offering mental health services changed over time, in non-metropolitan and metropolitan areas. Features statistics with breakdowns by year from 2000-2019 and by metropolitan and non-metropolitan location.
Author(s): Tyrone F. Borders, Timothy Williams, Katherine Youngen, Julia Cecil
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Focus on School-based Mental Health for Rural Central Virginia's Youth
Policy brief highlighting the increasing need for mental health care among the rural youth population of central Virginia and in the U.S. in general. Explores the effect that pandemic-related school shutdowns have had on youth mental health and the stigma surrounding mental health care in rural areas. Features statistics on suicide rates per 100,000 population with breakdowns by sex and rural or urban location, and student to school psychologist ratios from 2019-2020 with breakdowns by state.
Author(s): Sety Abooali
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Virginia State Office of Rural Health
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On the Farm
Documentary miniseries explores mental health and substance misuse on the American farm. Discusses the factors that contribute to psychological stress and substance use in farm families. Features interviews with experts as well as farmers and their families.
Additional links: Film Website
Date: 06/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Mississippi State University
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Last Updated: 6/3/2024