Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health Information Hub

 

Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health

Sep 18, 2020 - During the COVID-19 pandemic, many barriers to telehealth services were removed due to new regulatory changes, benefitting both mental healthcare providers and their patients. Describes how telehealth can increase access to mental health services in rural areas as clinicians can work across state lines, discusses how the public could benefit from the telehealth expansions remaining in place after the pandemic.
Source: Vox
Sep 18, 2020 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is seeking comments on an information collection regarding the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which surveys people 12 and older about the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Updates relate to COVID-19 and telehealth utilization. Comments are due by November 17, 2020.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2020 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announcing a public meeting of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention National Advisory Council (CSAP NAC) on September 30, 2020 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include the discussion of the member grant review process, substance use prevention during the pandemic, prevention data, and updates on CSAP program developments.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 16, 2020 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission to designate 988 for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. Includes a discussion of rural considerations. This rule is effective October 16, 2020.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 14, 2020 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $25 million to 80 recipients across 36 states and two territories as part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). The funding aims to reduce morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder and opioid use disorder in rural communities.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Sep 11, 2020 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comment on the following information collections: 1) Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) Certification and Survey Forms; 2) Generic Clearance for the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality IT Product and Support Teams; 3) Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency; and 4) Value in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Demonstration. Comments are due by October 13, 2020.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 8, 2020 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comments on an information collection to obtain information in order to assess Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) applicants' eligibility, qualifications for the program, and information on eligible site applicants. Comments on the information collection are due by October 8, 2020.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 7, 2020 - Highlights the Virtual Crisis Care Program, a pilot program in South Dakota that seeks to address gaps in mental health services and improve access to mental health professionals for rural residents. The pilot program provides tablets to law enforcement so they can immediately connect those in crisis with a mental health professional.
Source: KELOLAND News
Sep 7, 2020 - Interview with the executive director of the Community Resource and Counseling Center in Paxton, Illinois on how they have shifted to providing online mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses the challenges to accessing mental health services in rural areas and how they are overcoming those obstacles to enhance and provide care.
Source: Illinois Newsroom
Sep 4, 2020 - Announcement of a virtual public meeting of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) to be held on September 29, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include information on federal efforts related to serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED), including recommendations for actions that agencies can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services for adults with SMI or children with SED.
Source: Federal Register