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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health

Oct 1, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services making technical corrections to the July 31, 2026, final rule. This correction is effective October 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 28, 2026 - Highlights research investigating creativity as a method of reflection and personal growth for nurses working in Critical Access Hospitals. Discusses how art and creativity impact care the nurses are able to provide their patients, in addition to their own work and life balance.
Source: University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing Newsroom
Sep 25, 2026 - Announces awarded funding for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) which expands substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services throughout rural communities.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
Sep 24, 2026 - Discusses the farming-specific drivers of high suicide rates and highlights tools and resources to address the risks.
Source: Trust Magazine
Sep 22, 2026 - Announces a free Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supported conference for 988 and behavioral health crisis system state, territory, and tribal grantees, federal partners, subject-matter experts, providers, and other key partners to discuss strengthening crisis services and systems, as well as network with colleagues. The conference is December 15-17, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Rural response in crisis care is a topic of interest.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Sep 21, 2026 - Describes disparities in buprenorphine treatment availability in rural areas despite new data showing a national increase in the medication in pharmacies and emergency departments. Discusses challenges that continue to exist in rural Pennsylvania and highlights telehealth as a tool that could support improved access to the medication.
Source: WHYY
Sep 17, 2026 - Describes transportation access issues in Kansas for people experiencing mental health or substance use crises. The state's Rural Health Transportation Program is seeking applicants to create a statewide mental health transportation system.
Source: Kansas Public Radio
Sep 17, 2026 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Among other things, proposed updates for the 2027 NSDUH include revisions and additions to the Special Drugs module to prevent inconsistent reporting of last use of specific drugs with earlier modules; addition to the Mental Health Services Utilization module to capture past 12-month use of a Crisis Line service; and additions to the Emerging Issues module to measure past 12-month use of glucagon-like peptide-1 medications (GLP-1s), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic medications. Comments are due by November 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 16, 2026 - Announces newly awarded funding from the Indian Health Service to expand the Community Health Aide Program, which increases access to primary, behavioral, and oral healthcare in tribal communities.
Source: Indian Health Service
Sep 14, 2026 - Describes a North Carolina opioid overdose prevention program offering free naloxone through vending machines in an effort to increase access to the medication. Discusses how machines are placed and stocked based on community needs as well as the partnerships that make projects like this possible.
Source: ECU News Services