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Rural Health
News by Topic: Mental health

Oct 9, 2026 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on the extension of a generic clearance to conduct qualitative research to gain a better understanding of emerging substance use and mental health policy issues; improve the development and quality of instruments; and ensure SAMHSA leadership, centers, and offices have recent data and information for program and policy decision-making. Comments are due by December 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 8, 2026 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to the National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS), which collects information on the substance use and mental health treatment facility locations, characteristics, and use of substance use and mental health treatment services. Proposed changes include revising the questionnaire's content on crisis services and faith-based organizations, and targeted clarifications to existing N-SUMHSS questionnaire items. Comments are due by December 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 7, 2026 - Discusses physical and mental healthcare access for rural veterans in Colorado. Describes discussions among federal officials at a Colorado roundtable.
Source: Fox21
Oct 5, 2026 - Highlights a nonprofit organization working to increase access to and resources for mental healthcare for farmers and ranchers. Notes high rates of suicide in the population and discusses signs of poor mental health.
Source: High Plains Public Radio
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 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 11, 2026 - Describes a remote patient monitoring program for pregnant and postpartum women in rural Mississippi. Discusses the impact of the program on detecting common health conditions, increasing health literacy, and addressing mental health as well as how clinicians use the data in healthcare provision.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Sep 8, 2026 - Announces awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a variety of behavioral health treatment, prevention, and crisis response programs across over 20 funding opportunities. Includes funding for suicide prevention and response in tribal communities, community-based systems of care for tribal youth, emergency medical services for behavioral health crises in rural areas, and training and technical assistance for rural opioid and stimulant use.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services