Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health
Oct 17, 2025 - Discusses higher suicide rates for rural residents compared to urban residents and a Louisiana university's online therapy program to address those higher rates. Discusses the program's shift to focus on engaging communities, successes after year 1, and work to address broadband challenges.
Source: WAFB
Oct 15, 2025 - Highlights a partnership between a rural Kentucky school system and local health system to increase access to mental health services for students. The program aims to overcome common barriers, particularly transportation. Notes existing partnerships with other school districts and the health system and plans to continue expanding.
Source: LEX 18
Oct 12, 2025 - Discusses the experience of rural school counselors as often the only access to mental healthcare for their students. Notes the importance of accounting for rural culture in mental healthcare and the limited representation of rural school counselors in research. Profiles a rural Tennessee school counselor.
Source: Clarksville Online
Oct 7, 2025 - Recently-opened mental health center Sukapi Lodge near Browning, Montana is rooted in Blackfeet culture and unique experiences of Native people. Treatment combines Western therapeutic practices with Blackfeet traditional values.
Source: KRTV
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Federal Register
Sep 30, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Electronic Visit Verification Compliance Survey; 2) Negotiation Program Drug Selection for Initial Price Applicability Year 2028 under Sections 11001 and 11002 of the Inflation Reduction Act Information Collection Request; and 3) Conditions of Participation for Community Mental Health Centers and Supporting Regulations. Comments are due by October 30, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 2025 - Describes a long-term research study investigating brain development in children with exposure to opioids and other substances. The study aims to understand potential treatment options for opioid use-disorder. Discusses recruiting rural families including barriers and facilitators to participation.
Source: Cardinal News
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Sep 25, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Medical Necessity and Contract Amendments Under Mental Health Parity." CMS uses the information collected and reported in an oversight role of State Medicaid managed care programs. Comments are due by November 24, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 25, 2025 - Highlights a group of resource-constrained colleges using innovation and collaboration to improve wellness and mental health for their students. Discusses scaling programs designed for larger universities, the strengths and challenges of rural mental health, and collaborating with similar institutions. Notes the early educational successes seen by the program.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Sep 24, 2025 - Describes a collaboration between Syracuse University and a local hub offering wraparound services to pilot a recovery café for those recovering from mental health issues, substance use, grief, and more. The café offers a non-clinical space for those in need of services. Discusses the rural challenges for residents and services providers that this program aims to address.
Source: Syracuse University Impact
Sep 23, 2025 - Announces revisions to the State & Congressional District Profiles Dashboard to include metrics relevant for The Rural Transformation Fund including workforce shortage area designations, opioid overprescribing counties, and Medicaid coverage data. The Dashboard was created in partnership with the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) and National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH).
Source: Stroudwater Associates