Rural Health
News by Topic: Mental health
Feb 26, 2026 - Describes state-level legislation and community initiatives in Virginia to improve access to care for maternal mental health issues and cervical cancer screening. Discusses efforts to include rural residents to specialty care through telehealth.
Source: Cardinal News
Feb 17, 2026 - Discusses the need for and lack of mental healthcare in farming communities with a close look at Texas and Oklahoma. Identifies occupational contributors to stress and rural-specific barriers in accessing care.
Source: Southwest Farm Press
Feb 6, 2026 - A recent study found that rural EMS call times were at least 20 minutes longer than the national average, and nearly 40% of these calls were for patients with complex injuries, compared with a national average of 26.4%. Rural EMS providers also face challenges in pediatric and mental health care.
Source: EMS World
Jan 29, 2026 - Describes an increase in mental health needs in rural Kerr County, Texas following devastating floods in July 2025. Discusses the long-term impact of trauma, limited mental healthcare options in the area, and planned philanthropic funding to address the community's mental health needs.
Source: The Texas Tribune
Jan 26, 2026 - Describes a planned study investigating sources of stress for female farmers in Arizona and resources to support mental health. Discusses the community-based participatory research strategy for the study.
Source: The NAU Review
Jan 12, 2026 - Discusses a program offering mental healthcare to students in a rural Virginia school. Highlights the program's funding, the increased mental healthcare access for rural children through school-based programs, and mental health awareness.
Source: Cardinal News
Jan 12, 2026 - Describes increasing rates of suicide among children between 10 and 17 in Tennessee and highlights a program being expanded into rural communities to address the crisis. Notes rural-specific issues driving poor outcomes including stigma and less mental healthcare access. Discusses telehealth and school-based services as opportunities to improve outcomes.
Source: WJHL
Jan 6, 2026 - Describes suicide disparities for rural areas compared to urban ones and factors contributing to higher rural rates. Highlights policy measures addressing rural suicide in Montana and Washington.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Jan 3, 2026 - Describes the disparate risk for suicide among rural farmers and offers recommendations for addressing that risk including telemedicine, farming support, developing hobbies, and more. Includes Iowa-focused resources for farmers.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch