Rural Mental Health – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Mental Health.
Intakes of Lean Proteins and Processed Meats and Differences in Mental Health between Rural and Metro Adults 50 Years and Older
Presents a study on the relationship between diet and mental health status of adults over 50 in rural and urban counties in North Dakota. Focuses specifically on lean versus processed protein intake and their correlation with reported rates of depression and anxiety. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, including rural and urban location, and discusses food access issues in rural communities.
Author(s): Nathaniel R. Johnson, Sherri N. Stastny, Julie Garden-Robinson
Citation: Nutrients, 16(18), 3056
Date: 09/2024
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Presents a study on the relationship between diet and mental health status of adults over 50 in rural and urban counties in North Dakota. Focuses specifically on lean versus processed protein intake and their correlation with reported rates of depression and anxiety. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, including rural and urban location, and discusses food access issues in rural communities.
Author(s): Nathaniel R. Johnson, Sherri N. Stastny, Julie Garden-Robinson
Citation: Nutrients, 16(18), 3056
Date: 09/2024
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Suicide Prevention in Wisconsin's Farming Communities
Podcast episode discussing the Farmer Angel Network, a support group devoted to suicide prevention in Wisconsin's farming communities. Describes the origins of the group, the impacts of suicide in farming towns, how local hospitals contribute to the initiative, and the resources available to support families and loved ones.
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode discussing the Farmer Angel Network, a support group devoted to suicide prevention in Wisconsin's farming communities. Describes the origins of the group, the impacts of suicide in farming towns, how local hospitals contribute to the initiative, and the resources available to support families and loved ones.
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Vital Signs: Suicide Rates and Selected County-Level Factors — United States, 2022
Examines differences in suicide rates by county-level health insurance coverage, broadband Internet access, and household income. Includes data on suicide rates for these three county-level factors for rural compared to urban areas.
Author(s): Alison L. Cammack, Mark R. Stevens, Rebecca B. Naumann, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 73(37), 810-818
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Examines differences in suicide rates by county-level health insurance coverage, broadband Internet access, and household income. Includes data on suicide rates for these three county-level factors for rural compared to urban areas.
Author(s): Alison L. Cammack, Mark R. Stevens, Rebecca B. Naumann, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 73(37), 810-818
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Implementing Individual Placement and Support in Rural Communities: Barriers and Strategies
An issue brief focused on individual placement and support (IPS) programs for people with mental health conditions to help sustain their employment. Utilizes interview data with 27 IPS specialists to discuss barriers and strategies to implementing IPS in rural areas, focused on issues such as mental healthcare workforce availability, funding, transportation, internet access, job opportunity, and local cultural perceptions.
Author(s): Gary R. Bond, Monirah AI-Abdulmunem, Deborah R. Becker, Robert E. Drake
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: ASPIRE: Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment
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An issue brief focused on individual placement and support (IPS) programs for people with mental health conditions to help sustain their employment. Utilizes interview data with 27 IPS specialists to discuss barriers and strategies to implementing IPS in rural areas, focused on issues such as mental healthcare workforce availability, funding, transportation, internet access, job opportunity, and local cultural perceptions.
Author(s): Gary R. Bond, Monirah AI-Abdulmunem, Deborah R. Becker, Robert E. Drake
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: ASPIRE: Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment
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Place-Based Differences in the Association Between Greenspace and Suicide-Related Outcomes Among Young People
Presents a study on the role of greenspace and suicide-related outcomes (SROs) in young people. Explores the efficacy of greenspaces as protective factors for SROs in different levels of rurality by metrics such as quality, quantity, and accessibility.
Author(s): Sophia C. Ryan, Jennifer D. Runkle, Luke Wertis, Margaret M. Sugg
Citation: Journal of Adolescent Health, 75(2), 305-313
Date: 08/2024
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Presents a study on the role of greenspace and suicide-related outcomes (SROs) in young people. Explores the efficacy of greenspaces as protective factors for SROs in different levels of rurality by metrics such as quality, quantity, and accessibility.
Author(s): Sophia C. Ryan, Jennifer D. Runkle, Luke Wertis, Margaret M. Sugg
Citation: Journal of Adolescent Health, 75(2), 305-313
Date: 08/2024
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The State of Mental Health in America
Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert, Danielle Fritze, Theresa Nguyen
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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Report presents data on mental health and substance use for youth and adults across all 50 states. Highlights barriers to mental health wellness, such as lack of mental healthcare coverage, mental health workforce shortages, and cost of treatment, among other factors. Discusses some challenges specific to rural communities.
Author(s): Maddy Reinert, Danielle Fritze, Theresa Nguyen
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Mental Health America
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Pain in the Nation 2024: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths
Report focuses on alcohol, drug, and mortality statistics and trends, with a special feature on polysubstance use and drug overdose issues. Includes data on substance use and mortality, with U.S. maps showing overdose and suicide rates, breakdowns according to metro versus nonmetro location, and state-by-state statistical trends. Provides policy recommendations to address substance use and offers examples from rural areas.
Author(s): Molly Warren, Brandon Reavis
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Report focuses on alcohol, drug, and mortality statistics and trends, with a special feature on polysubstance use and drug overdose issues. Includes data on substance use and mortality, with U.S. maps showing overdose and suicide rates, breakdowns according to metro versus nonmetro location, and state-by-state statistical trends. Provides policy recommendations to address substance use and offers examples from rural areas.
Author(s): Molly Warren, Brandon Reavis
Date: 07/2024
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Prescription Opioid Tapering Practices and Outcomes at a Rural VA Health Care System
Presents a study on the clinical characteristics of rural veterans using opioids for chronic pain and undergoing opioid tapering. Breaks down data on outcomes from tapering for rural veterans who were taking 90 Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD) or more. Highlights common tapering outcomes, such as increased pain, suicidal ideation, and other withdrawal symptoms.
Author(s): Rena Elizabeth Courtney, Emily Halsey, Tanvi Patil, et al.
Citation: Pain Medicine, 25(7), 480-482
Date: 07/2024
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Presents a study on the clinical characteristics of rural veterans using opioids for chronic pain and undergoing opioid tapering. Breaks down data on outcomes from tapering for rural veterans who were taking 90 Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD) or more. Highlights common tapering outcomes, such as increased pain, suicidal ideation, and other withdrawal symptoms.
Author(s): Rena Elizabeth Courtney, Emily Halsey, Tanvi Patil, et al.
Citation: Pain Medicine, 25(7), 480-482
Date: 07/2024
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Risk Factors for Poor Health Among U.S. Older Adults in Rural and Urban Areas: Injury, Food Insecurity, and Lack of Social and Emotional Support
Examines health and well-being in older adults by focusing on rural versus urban variations in injury, food insecurity, and lack of social and emotional support. Provides data breakdowns by demographics, employment, income, marital status, education, and more.
Author(s): Ingrid Jacobson, Alexis Swendener, Megan Lahr, Alyssa Fritz, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Examines health and well-being in older adults by focusing on rural versus urban variations in injury, food insecurity, and lack of social and emotional support. Provides data breakdowns by demographics, employment, income, marital status, education, and more.
Author(s): Ingrid Jacobson, Alexis Swendener, Megan Lahr, Alyssa Fritz, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps Meeting Agenda, June 25-26, 2024
Agenda and meeting materials for the June 25-26, 2024 meeting, including workgroup reports and presentations on school mental health resource and training centers, school-based health centers in greater Cincinnati, and integration of behavioral health services in school-based primary care clinics.
Additional links: Integration of Behavioral Health Services in School-Based Primary Care Clinics, Meet Your School Mental Health Resource & Training Center, School-Based Health Centers In Greater Cincinnati
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
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Agenda and meeting materials for the June 25-26, 2024 meeting, including workgroup reports and presentations on school mental health resource and training centers, school-based health centers in greater Cincinnati, and integration of behavioral health services in school-based primary care clinics.
Additional links: Integration of Behavioral Health Services in School-Based Primary Care Clinics, Meet Your School Mental Health Resource & Training Center, School-Based Health Centers In Greater Cincinnati
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
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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: 10/7/2025