Rural Mental Health – Resources

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: 02/2024
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Identifying Factors Associated with Variation in Telemental Health Delivery at Federally Qualified Health Centers
Examines telemental health delivery at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across the U.S. Analyzes 1,270 FQHCs and their telemental appointments in 2021 and provides statistics according to mental health staffing, rurality of FQHC, state, and patient population descriptors, including age, race/ethnicity, and insurance status.
Author(s): Brianna Lombardi, Connor Sullivan, Maria Gaiser, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 15
Date: 01/2024
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Exploring Telemental Health Practice Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Presents a study on the use of telemedicine by mental health providers since the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the expansion of telemental health during the pandemic and how that expansion has continued in the aftermath. Breaks down data by patient and provider characteristics, as well as the rurality of providers and of the area served.
Author(s): Demi Zhu, Samantha R Paige, Henry Slone, et al.
Citation: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 30(1), 72-78
Date: 01/2024
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2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Among the American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) Population Aged 12 or Older
Highlights data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health pertaining specifically to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) over the age of 12. Compares AI/AN rates of drug use and mental illness, as well as co-occurring disorders, to rates for the U.S. as a whole.
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Recommendations for Local Suicide Prevention Infrastructure
Presents a report detailing local infrastructure recommendations for suicide prevention. Discusses suicide prevention strategies, makes recommendations for partnerships, and implementation guidance for programs at the local level. Highlights considerations for rural communities and explores the role of culture in suicide prevention.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Suicide Prevention Resource Center
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The Dialogue: Rural and Remote Disaster Behavioral Health
Journal issue discusses the behavioral health needs and challenges during disasters in rural and remote communities. Highlights the mental health challenges that co-occur with disasters such as extreme heat, floods, droughts and other disasters in rural communities and details strategies for addressing them.
Citation: The Dialogue, 19(4)
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center
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Expanding Behavioral Health Care Workforce Participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace Plans
Report highlights barriers to obtaining behavioral health treatment on Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace plans. Discusses barriers specific to rural and tribal communities. Details behavioral workforce needs and makes policy recommendations.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Rural Mental Health in the United States 2006–2022: An Overview and Annotated Bibliography
Provides a comprehensive overview of mental health in the rural United States. Includes chapters focused on a rural perspective of mental health, the demographic profile of rural areas by substance abuse, mental health service delivery, workforce challenges and opportunities, comparative information about rural mental health outside the U.S., and the future of rural mental health in the U.S.
Author(s): Jasmine R. Davis, David Lambert, Sree Sinha, et al.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
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Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness
Report discussing mental health for female veterans. Discusses topics including suicide prevention with a focus on rural issues, abuse and violence, substance use, eating disorders, social connectedness, maternity, and care coordination. Offers policy and research recommendations to the Veterans Health Administration.
Additional links: Quick Glance
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Disabled American Veterans
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Policy Solutions Addressing Psychiatric Boarding of Rural Youth
Policy position paper regarding psychiatric boarding - holding patients in an emergency department after the decision to admit or transfer has been made, but no beds are available - of rural children and adolescents. Describes recent trends in pediatric psychiatric boarding in rural areas. Offers policy recommendations to reduce boarding times and improve mental health outcomes in rural communities.
Author(s): Amah Riley, Jonathan Updike, Lauren Wood
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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