Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Mental health
Report on Suicide and Suicide Prevention in Texas: 2026 Update
Reports on suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, suicide mortality, and suicide prevention in Texas, including regional data and color-coded county maps. See pages 37-39 for suicide mortality data by level of rurality.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
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Reports on suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, suicide mortality, and suicide prevention in Texas, including regional data and color-coded county maps. See pages 37-39 for suicide mortality data by level of rurality.
Date: 09/2026
Sponsoring organization: Texas Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
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Examining Teacher Supply, Demand, and Shortages in Pennsylvania
Explores teacher shortages, supply, and demand in Pennsylvania rural and urban school districts from 2014-2025. Notes how rising student mental health needs are contributing to demand for teachers. Features statistics on vacancies from 2023-2025, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Edward J. Fuller
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Explores teacher shortages, supply, and demand in Pennsylvania rural and urban school districts from 2014-2025. Notes how rising student mental health needs are contributing to demand for teachers. Features statistics on vacancies from 2023-2025, with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Edward J. Fuller
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Workplace Indicators and Well-Being among Oral Health Professionals in HRSA-Funded Health Centres
Discusses survey results on the associations between 16 drivers of well-being in the workplace and job satisfaction, burnout, engagement, and retention for 2,671 dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dentists. Highlights specific drivers by provider type and includes a rural and urban comparison of the study population. Notes findings related to dentists in rural facilities.
Author(s): Jinman Pang, Simona Surdu, Sage Shirey, Jean Moore
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(8)
Date: 08/2026
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Discusses survey results on the associations between 16 drivers of well-being in the workplace and job satisfaction, burnout, engagement, and retention for 2,671 dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dentists. Highlights specific drivers by provider type and includes a rural and urban comparison of the study population. Notes findings related to dentists in rural facilities.
Author(s): Jinman Pang, Simona Surdu, Sage Shirey, Jean Moore
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(8)
Date: 08/2026
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ADDIE-Guided Development and Pilot Feasibility Evaluation of a Prototype VR Training Simulation for Suicide Prevention among Rural U.S. Veterans
Explores the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) workforce training modules to address the lack of specialty-trained mental health professionals serving rural veterans and to improve suicide prevention efforts. Evaluates participants' engagement in the VR environment, realism of VR scenarios, and perception of usability across different workforce groups, among other measures.
Author(s): Donna L. Schuman , Micki Washburn, Regina T. Praetorius, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 21(8), e0345819
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) workforce training modules to address the lack of specialty-trained mental health professionals serving rural veterans and to improve suicide prevention efforts. Evaluates participants' engagement in the VR environment, realism of VR scenarios, and perception of usability across different workforce groups, among other measures.
Author(s): Donna L. Schuman , Micki Washburn, Regina T. Praetorius, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 21(8), e0345819
Date: 08/2026
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Rural–Urban Differences in Excessive Alcohol Use and Select Mental Health Conditions
Explores the differences in alcohol use by people with self-reported mental health conditions in rural and urban areas using 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data. Breaks down data by demographic markers, such as education level, employment, and health insurance status, among others. Compares alcohol use and mental health data by large urban, small urban, and rural areas.
Author(s): Taryn Farrell, Cassie Odahowski, Emma Boswell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70209
Date: 08/2026
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Explores the differences in alcohol use by people with self-reported mental health conditions in rural and urban areas using 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data. Breaks down data by demographic markers, such as education level, employment, and health insurance status, among others. Compares alcohol use and mental health data by large urban, small urban, and rural areas.
Author(s): Taryn Farrell, Cassie Odahowski, Emma Boswell, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70209
Date: 08/2026
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FY 2022 Mississippi State Health Plan: Fourth Edition - Amended
Offers criteria and standards for health-related activities in Mississippi which require Certificate of Need review. Features sections on workforce, long-term care, mental health, perinatal care, acute care, rehabilitation services, and other services. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mississippi State Department of Health
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Offers criteria and standards for health-related activities in Mississippi which require Certificate of Need review. Features sections on workforce, long-term care, mental health, perinatal care, acute care, rehabilitation services, and other services. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Mississippi State Department of Health
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Protective Factors among Rural and Remote Soldiers: A Critical Phenomenological Perspective on Suicidality in Alaska
Presents a study aiming to identify protective factors to reduce suicidality, using interviews from 38 active duty soldiers in Alaska. Includes information on protective factors from the perspective of soldiers, as well as potential supports to lower the rates of suicidality.
Author(s): Emily J. Lugdon, James R. Morton, Raeann G. LeBlanc
Citation: Military Medicine, 191(S1), 453-461
Date: 08/2026
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Presents a study aiming to identify protective factors to reduce suicidality, using interviews from 38 active duty soldiers in Alaska. Includes information on protective factors from the perspective of soldiers, as well as potential supports to lower the rates of suicidality.
Author(s): Emily J. Lugdon, James R. Morton, Raeann G. LeBlanc
Citation: Military Medicine, 191(S1), 453-461
Date: 08/2026
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Behavioral Health Council Action Plan - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Examines the current state of Pennsylvania's behavioral healthcare system, highlights areas for improvement, and offers recommendations to improve access to mental health and addiction care services. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council
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Examines the current state of Pennsylvania's behavioral healthcare system, highlights areas for improvement, and offers recommendations to improve access to mental health and addiction care services. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council
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2026 CCBHC Impact Report
Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Discusses the impact certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) have had on expanding access to mental and substance use healthcare, supporting the well-being of children and families, and coordinating with primary care providers, among other measures. Explores national CCBHC implementation status, utilization of services, collaboration with other providers, and workforce support. Includes a breakdown of clientele expansions in rural CCBHCs.
Date: 08/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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Mental Health Stressors and Barriers to Support Among Rural Farmers: A Qualitative Study of Agricultural Communities in the East South-Central United States
Explores how farmers experience mental health stressors, coping strategies, and barriers to seeking help via thematic analysis of interviews with 14 rural Kentucky farmers. Discusses farming-specific stressors, stigma, self-reliance, and lessons for suicide prevention.
Author(s): Jeanne M. Ward, Melissa Perkins, John R. Blosnich
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(8), 983
Date: 07/2026
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Explores how farmers experience mental health stressors, coping strategies, and barriers to seeking help via thematic analysis of interviews with 14 rural Kentucky farmers. Discusses farming-specific stressors, stigma, self-reliance, and lessons for suicide prevention.
Author(s): Jeanne M. Ward, Melissa Perkins, John R. Blosnich
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(8), 983
Date: 07/2026
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