Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health
Tribal Health, Medicaid, and Child Welfare: Supporting Behavioral Health and Traditional Healing
A 3-part series that discusses the collaboration of tribal health, Medicaid, and child welfare systems and the subsequent benefits for Native American and Alaska Native children and families. Includes examples on how to integrate traditional healing practices into behavioral health services.
Author(s): Anne Smithey, Jahira Sterling, Ruby Goyal-Carkeek
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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A 3-part series that discusses the collaboration of tribal health, Medicaid, and child welfare systems and the subsequent benefits for Native American and Alaska Native children and families. Includes examples on how to integrate traditional healing practices into behavioral health services.
Author(s): Anne Smithey, Jahira Sterling, Ruby Goyal-Carkeek
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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A Pilot Evaluation of a Telemedicine Pharmacist-Physician Management Model to Increase Access to Medication for Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders for Rural Veterans
Explores the efficacy of a pilot project connecting rural veterans with alcohol and opioid use disorder to evidence-based treatment via a telehealth-based pharmacist-physician management model (PPMM). Program was administered by six Veterans Health Administration (VHA) primary care community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Breaks down data by participant age, sex, substances used, and mental health disorders, among other measures.
Author(s): Amy J. Kennedy, Madeline C. Frost, Carol A. Malte, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70158
Date: 05/2026
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Explores the efficacy of a pilot project connecting rural veterans with alcohol and opioid use disorder to evidence-based treatment via a telehealth-based pharmacist-physician management model (PPMM). Program was administered by six Veterans Health Administration (VHA) primary care community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Breaks down data by participant age, sex, substances used, and mental health disorders, among other measures.
Author(s): Amy J. Kennedy, Madeline C. Frost, Carol A. Malte, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70158
Date: 05/2026
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Vermont 2025 Fatal Overdose Report
Offers data on overdose deaths in Vermont through 2025, including drug types, manner of death, trends over time, and demographic characteristics. Features county-level maps showing rates of overdose by county of residence and by county of death.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Offers data on overdose deaths in Vermont through 2025, including drug types, manner of death, trends over time, and demographic characteristics. Features county-level maps showing rates of overdose by county of residence and by county of death.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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Minnesota Data Brief: Suicide Rate Up 4% in 2025 - Increases Seen in Males and Multiple Age Groups
Data brief examining deaths by suicide in Minnesota for the year 2025, including year-by-year and demographic data breakdowns. See page 3 for 2025 data on suicide rates by level of rurality.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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Data brief examining deaths by suicide in Minnesota for the year 2025, including year-by-year and demographic data breakdowns. See page 3 for 2025 data on suicide rates by level of rurality.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
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A New Network of Rural Providers in Arkansas Looks to Take On The 'Needs and Pain Points' of Behavioral Healthcare
Features the Arkansas Rural Behavioral Health Access Network, a network of primary care providers working to improve regional access to mental and behavioral health resources.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features the Arkansas Rural Behavioral Health Access Network, a network of primary care providers working to improve regional access to mental and behavioral health resources.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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How Do Changes in Medicare Reimbursement for Mental Health Services Impact Access for Rural Older Adults?
Examines how policies allowing marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) to independently bill Medicare have impacted mental healthcare access among Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas. Utilizes interview data from 14 leaders representing rural health systems and mental health organizations regarding their perceptions on mental healthcare access, Medicare reimbursement policy, and the inclusion of MFTs and MHCs as mental health providers for Medicare recipients.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Signe Burchim, Janessa M. Graves
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70162
Date: 05/2026
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Examines how policies allowing marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) to independently bill Medicare have impacted mental healthcare access among Medicare beneficiaries living in rural areas. Utilizes interview data from 14 leaders representing rural health systems and mental health organizations regarding their perceptions on mental healthcare access, Medicare reimbursement policy, and the inclusion of MFTs and MHCs as mental health providers for Medicare recipients.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Signe Burchim, Janessa M. Graves
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70162
Date: 05/2026
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Changes in Staffing, Resident Health, Closure, and Financial Performance of Rural Nursing Homes from 2017 to 2022
Examines changes in various characteristics of nursing homes, using data from 2017-2022. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and small/isolated rural areas.
Author(s): Gulrukh Mehboob, Hari Sharma, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Examines changes in various characteristics of nursing homes, using data from 2017-2022. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, and small/isolated rural areas.
Author(s): Gulrukh Mehboob, Hari Sharma, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Access to and Provision of Child and Youth Behavioral Health Services in the Rural and Urban U.S.
Compiles findings from 9 reports on youth behavioral health in the rural U.S. Describes prevalence of behavioral health conditions, the youth behavioral health workforce, behavioral health licensure and reimbursement policy, and provision of youth behavioral health services. Features statistics with breakdowns by 7 levels of population density.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Lisa A. Garberson, Sara C. Woolcock, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Compiles findings from 9 reports on youth behavioral health in the rural U.S. Describes prevalence of behavioral health conditions, the youth behavioral health workforce, behavioral health licensure and reimbursement policy, and provision of youth behavioral health services. Features statistics with breakdowns by 7 levels of population density.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Lisa A. Garberson, Sara C. Woolcock, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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A Look at New or Expanded Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships from 2025: Findings from A Survey of State Medicaid Programs
Identifies themes from a survey of state Medicaid directors regarding new or expanded public health initiatives that were implemented in fiscal year (FY) 2025 or planned for FY 2026. Summarizes initiatives related to maternal and child health, child and youth mental health, opioid use disorder (OUD), lead screening, infectious disease, and workforce. Describes rural-related initiatives and examples throughout.
Author(s): Alisha Rao, Anna Mudumala, Elizabeth Hinton, Cory Caldwell
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Identifies themes from a survey of state Medicaid directors regarding new or expanded public health initiatives that were implemented in fiscal year (FY) 2025 or planned for FY 2026. Summarizes initiatives related to maternal and child health, child and youth mental health, opioid use disorder (OUD), lead screening, infectious disease, and workforce. Describes rural-related initiatives and examples throughout.
Author(s): Alisha Rao, Anna Mudumala, Elizabeth Hinton, Cory Caldwell
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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North Carolina Mental Health & Substance Use Services Workforce Data 2024 Snapshot: Certified Peer Support Specialists
Presents statistics on North Carolina peer support specialists, including demographics, rate per 10,000 population with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro areas, and a county-level map showing rate per 10,000 population as of 2024.
Author(s): B.M. Lombardi, J. Headley, M.P. Jimenez, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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Presents statistics on North Carolina peer support specialists, including demographics, rate per 10,000 population with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro areas, and a county-level map showing rate per 10,000 population as of 2024.
Author(s): B.M. Lombardi, J. Headley, M.P. Jimenez, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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