Rural Mental Health – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Mental Health.
Innovating Mental Healthcare in Texas and Beyond: Q&A with Dr. Octavio Martinez
An interview with Dr. Octavio Martinez, the executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. Discusses the mission of the foundation and how it is addressing mental health in Texas, as well as some of the challenges of providing mental healthcare in Texas and throughout the U.S.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An interview with Dr. Octavio Martinez, the executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. Discusses the mission of the foundation and how it is addressing mental health in Texas, as well as some of the challenges of providing mental healthcare in Texas and throughout the U.S.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Online Screening Helps Michigan Men Gauge Mental Health
Features the Healthy Men Michigan campaign, which uses an anonymous online survey to evaluate the risk of depression and suicide among men in the state. Focuses on working-age Michigan men and on reaching those in male-dominated industries, using mental health messaging targeted to this audience.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features the Healthy Men Michigan campaign, which uses an anonymous online survey to evaluate the risk of depression and suicide among men in the state. Focuses on working-age Michigan men and on reaching those in male-dominated industries, using mental health messaging targeted to this audience.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural and Urban Utilization of the Emergency Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Details a report on the use of emergency services in treating mental health and substance abuse (MH/SA) in both rural and urban settings. Discusses healthcare needs of MH/SA patients, as well as the increasing demands on emergency departments. Breaks down data by urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated rural emergency departments, as well as by age and primary payer of patients.
Author(s): Shawnda Schroeder, Mandi Leigh-Peterson
Date: 06/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
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Details a report on the use of emergency services in treating mental health and substance abuse (MH/SA) in both rural and urban settings. Discusses healthcare needs of MH/SA patients, as well as the increasing demands on emergency departments. Breaks down data by urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated rural emergency departments, as well as by age and primary payer of patients.
Author(s): Shawnda Schroeder, Mandi Leigh-Peterson
Date: 06/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
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Trends in Suicide by Level of Urbanization — United States, 1999–2015
Reports on suicide rates from 1999–2015, with data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and non-core (rural) areas. Discusses possible causes for geographic disparities in suicide rates, including limited access to mental health care, social isolation, and the opioid overdose epidemic. Also discusses the widening gap beginning in 2007-2008, which may relate to the impact of the recession on rural areas.
Author(s): Scott R. Kegler, Deborah M. Stone, Kristin M. Holland
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 66(10), 270-273
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reports on suicide rates from 1999–2015, with data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and non-core (rural) areas. Discusses possible causes for geographic disparities in suicide rates, including limited access to mental health care, social isolation, and the opioid overdose epidemic. Also discusses the widening gap beginning in 2007-2008, which may relate to the impact of the recession on rural areas.
Author(s): Scott R. Kegler, Deborah M. Stone, Kristin M. Holland
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 66(10), 270-273
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Differences in Health Care, Family, and Community Factors Associated with Mental, Behavioral, and Developmental Disorders Among Children Aged 2–8 Years in Rural and Urban Areas — United States, 2011–2012
Provides rural and urban data on a variety of health-related factors for children 2-8 years of age with and without mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders. Topics addressed include demographics, health insurance coverage, having a medical home, parental mental health, family financial difficulties, and community factors.
Author(s): Lara R. Robinson, Joseph R. Holbrook, Rebecca H. Bitsko, et al.
Citation: MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 66(8), 1-11
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Provides rural and urban data on a variety of health-related factors for children 2-8 years of age with and without mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders. Topics addressed include demographics, health insurance coverage, having a medical home, parental mental health, family financial difficulties, and community factors.
Author(s): Lara R. Robinson, Joseph R. Holbrook, Rebecca H. Bitsko, et al.
Citation: MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 66(8), 1-11
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Vermont Care Network Advocates for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Agencies
Highlights the work of the Vermont Care Network, which supports 16 non-profit agencies that provide behavioral health and developmental disability services in the state. Discusses cross-sector collaboration and integration of mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services with primary care.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Highlights the work of the Vermont Care Network, which supports 16 non-profit agencies that provide behavioral health and developmental disability services in the state. Discusses cross-sector collaboration and integration of mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services with primary care.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Understanding Treatment Gaps for Mental Health, Alcohol, and Drug Use in South Dakota: A Qualitative Study of Rural Perspectives
Details a study on gaps in access to behavioral health treatment in rural South Dakota. Discusses data collected from interviews with people in rural and tribal areas of the state with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Author(s): Lauren Broffman, Margaret Spurlock, Kristen Dulacki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(1), 71-81
Date: 01/2017
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Details a study on gaps in access to behavioral health treatment in rural South Dakota. Discusses data collected from interviews with people in rural and tribal areas of the state with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Author(s): Lauren Broffman, Margaret Spurlock, Kristen Dulacki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(1), 71-81
Date: 01/2017
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Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices
Provides tools, information, and resources to implement suicide prevention practices in primary care settings, including those in rural areas.
Author(s): Elizabeth Tupa, April Hendrickson, Ken Cole, Hannah Koch
Date: 2017
Sponsoring organizations: Suicide Prevention Resource Center, WICHE Behavioral Health Program
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Provides tools, information, and resources to implement suicide prevention practices in primary care settings, including those in rural areas.
Author(s): Elizabeth Tupa, April Hendrickson, Ken Cole, Hannah Koch
Date: 2017
Sponsoring organizations: Suicide Prevention Resource Center, WICHE Behavioral Health Program
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Age at First Birth and Psychiatric Disorders in Low-Income Pregnant Women
Details a study on the correlation between women's age at the time of first giving birth and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Features data from low-income pregnant women from 5 rural counties in Missouri. Looks at the subjects' age, diagnoses, and income, among other factors.
Author(s): Maya Tabet, Louise H. Flick, Cynthia A.L. Cook, et al.
Citation: Journal of Women's Health, 25(8), 810-817
Date: 08/2016
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Details a study on the correlation between women's age at the time of first giving birth and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Features data from low-income pregnant women from 5 rural counties in Missouri. Looks at the subjects' age, diagnoses, and income, among other factors.
Author(s): Maya Tabet, Louise H. Flick, Cynthia A.L. Cook, et al.
Citation: Journal of Women's Health, 25(8), 810-817
Date: 08/2016
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Disparities in Alcohol, Drug Use, and Mental Health Condition Prevalence and Access to Care in Rural, Isolated, and Reservation Areas: Findings From the South Dakota Health Survey
Presents a study comparing disparities in drug and alcohol use and mental health issues in rural and urban areas. Explores data from a cross-sectional survey of people in South Dakota in rural and urban areas, including on American Indian reservations.
Author(s): Melinda M. Davis, Margaret Spurlock, Kristen Dulacki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 32(3), 287-302
Date: 06/2016
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Presents a study comparing disparities in drug and alcohol use and mental health issues in rural and urban areas. Explores data from a cross-sectional survey of people in South Dakota in rural and urban areas, including on American Indian reservations.
Author(s): Melinda M. Davis, Margaret Spurlock, Kristen Dulacki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 32(3), 287-302
Date: 06/2016
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
- Behavioral health
- Behavioral health workforce
- Mental health
- Mental health conditions
- Suicide and suicide prevention
Last Updated: 4/1/2025