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Rural Health
News by Topic: Mental health

Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) making corrections to the August 21, 2024, final rule. These corrections are effective October 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 30, 2024 - Arizona's Medicaid agency is funding new on-call OB-GYN providers for rural communities. The initiative is meant to increase access to care for people in maternity care deserts. Discusses challenges with recruiting healthcare providers to rural areas and the role of mental health in mortality for pregnant and postpartum women.
Source: Cronkite News
Oct 23, 2024 - Discusses a telepsychology program at the University of Iowa that aims to work with rural Iowans and train psychologists. Discusses the benefits of telehealth in increasing access to care in workforce shortage areas, the culture of rural, and overcoming stigma.
Source: The Daily Iowan
Oct 17, 2024 - Highlights drivers of stress for farmers in Ohio and the associated high suicide rate when compared to the general population. Discusses barriers to accessing mental healthcare and local initiatives to connect the agriculture community with resources.
Source: The Ohio Newsroom
Oct 9, 2024 - Highlights a new program offering mental health services to rural residents and farmers in Louisiana through teletherapy. The program addresses broadband issues by offering a mobile unit with internet access and devices.
Source: BRProud
Oct 1, 2024 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) on March 27, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The meeting will provide information on federal efforts related to serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED). The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the SAMHSA website before the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 30, 2024 - Announces $68.5 million in grant funding for mental health, workforce education, health equity, and more. Includes $11.5 million in funding for rural emergency medical services training for first responders offering care to people with substance use disorders and co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Sep 27, 2024 - Presents an overview of a panel discussion on social connection and the public health dangers associated with loneliness at the University of Southern Maine. Notes that rural populations may face increased barriers to social connection due to physical proximity. Features a variety of initiatives working to enhance social connection across the state including marketing campaigns, online mental health resources, and school-based programs.
Source: Maine Morning Star
Sep 23, 2024 - Highlights the increases in rural suicide with focus on the impact on Black farmers in Tatums, Oklahoma. Discusses farming-related stressors, stigma, historic racism, workforce issues, and mental health resources.
Sep 23, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) making amending regulations implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and adding new regulations implementing the nonquantitative treatment limitation (NQTL) comparative analyses requirements under MHPAEA, as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA, 2021). Specifically, these rules amend the existing NQTL standard to prevent plans and issuers from using NQTLs to place greater limits on access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits as compared to medical/surgical benefits. These regulations are effective November 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register