Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Mental health
Exploring Associations Between Well-Being, Mental Distress, and Five Dimensions of Social Capital in Rural Georgia
Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting.
Author(s): Alexis Joanna Smith, Lauren M Bigger, Robin E McGee, et al.
Citation: Family and Community Health, 49(3), 192-196
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting.
Author(s): Alexis Joanna Smith, Lauren M Bigger, Robin E McGee, et al.
Citation: Family and Community Health, 49(3), 192-196
Date: 07/2026
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Mental Health Treatment among Adults: United States, 2024
Explores data pertaining to mental health treatment received by adults in 2024. Breaks down data by treatment type, such as receiving medication or therapy, as well as demographic measures, such as age, family income, and rurality, among others.
Author(s): Elizabeth M. Briones, Maria A. Villarroel
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Explores data pertaining to mental health treatment received by adults in 2024. Breaks down data by treatment type, such as receiving medication or therapy, as well as demographic measures, such as age, family income, and rurality, among others.
Author(s): Elizabeth M. Briones, Maria A. Villarroel
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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A Tour of Youth Behavioral Health Services Landscape: Prevalence, Treatment, and the Workforce
Webinar discussing the prevalence of youth mental health conditions, substance use, and treatment in rural areas, the distribution of the youth behavioral health workforce, and the state of Medicaid funding for these services.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Janessa Graves, Holly Andrilla, Lisa Garberson, et al.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Health Research Gateway, WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Webinar discussing the prevalence of youth mental health conditions, substance use, and treatment in rural areas, the distribution of the youth behavioral health workforce, and the state of Medicaid funding for these services.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Author(s): Janessa Graves, Holly Andrilla, Lisa Garberson, et al.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Health Research Gateway, WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Access to Interventional Psychiatry Treatments among VA Patients
Analyzes how access varies to interventional psychiatry treatments, including electroconvulsive therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, and medication-assisted psychotherapy, among rural and urban veterans. Uses 2017-2023 VA electronic health record data of veterans with major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses.
Author(s): Brian Shiner, Vincent DuFort, Tayla Peltzman, Bradley V. Watts
Citation: Journal of Rural Mental Health, 50(2), 75-85
Date: 06/2026
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Analyzes how access varies to interventional psychiatry treatments, including electroconvulsive therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, and medication-assisted psychotherapy, among rural and urban veterans. Uses 2017-2023 VA electronic health record data of veterans with major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses.
Author(s): Brian Shiner, Vincent DuFort, Tayla Peltzman, Bradley V. Watts
Citation: Journal of Rural Mental Health, 50(2), 75-85
Date: 06/2026
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Bridging the Rural Mental Health Gap: Telehealth Delivery of Specialized CBT and MBCT for Veterans With Parkinson's Disease
Examines the Veteran Affairs (VA) New Jersey Parkinson's Disease (PD) Telepsychotherapy Hub (PD Telepsych Hub) that provides virtual mental health treatments to rural veterans. Analyzes treatment results of 522 veterans with PD over 5 years of receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-PD) or group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT-PD). Provides data on sample demographics, clinical characteristics, pre- and post-treatment outcomes, and satisfaction with therapy.
Author(s): John R. Purcell, Rokas Perskaudas, Rachael B. Miller, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70175
Date: 06/2026
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Examines the Veteran Affairs (VA) New Jersey Parkinson's Disease (PD) Telepsychotherapy Hub (PD Telepsych Hub) that provides virtual mental health treatments to rural veterans. Analyzes treatment results of 522 veterans with PD over 5 years of receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-PD) or group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT-PD). Provides data on sample demographics, clinical characteristics, pre- and post-treatment outcomes, and satisfaction with therapy.
Author(s): John R. Purcell, Rokas Perskaudas, Rachael B. Miller, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70175
Date: 06/2026
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Rural–Urban Differences in Use of Mental Health Care for Serious Mental Illness at the Veterans Health Administration: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Examines how use of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health care varies among rural and urban veterans with serious mental illness (SMI), using FY 2018-2022 VHA administrative data. Includes data on rural and urban SMI prevalence, services used, and other demographic and clinical factors influencing service use.
Author(s): Alexandra B. Caloudas, Amber B. Amspoker, Ashley Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70173
Date: 06/2026
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Examines how use of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health care varies among rural and urban veterans with serious mental illness (SMI), using FY 2018-2022 VHA administrative data. Includes data on rural and urban SMI prevalence, services used, and other demographic and clinical factors influencing service use.
Author(s): Alexandra B. Caloudas, Amber B. Amspoker, Ashley Smith, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70173
Date: 06/2026
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A Roadmap for Implementing Virtual Geriatric Mental Health Services for Rural Veterans: Qualitative Longitudinal Evaluation
Explores access to geriatric mental health (GMH) in rural areas among older rural veterans. Evaluates the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) tele-GMH program's ability to provide care to veterans in rural areas. Describes the phases of implementation of tele-GMH as a part of a longitudinal evaluation.
Author(s): Christine E. Gould, Marika Blair Humber, Chalise Carlson, et al.
Citation: JMIR Aging, 9, e95286
Date: 06/2026
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Explores access to geriatric mental health (GMH) in rural areas among older rural veterans. Evaluates the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) tele-GMH program's ability to provide care to veterans in rural areas. Describes the phases of implementation of tele-GMH as a part of a longitudinal evaluation.
Author(s): Christine E. Gould, Marika Blair Humber, Chalise Carlson, et al.
Citation: JMIR Aging, 9, e95286
Date: 06/2026
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Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor Workforces in Rural America Under New Medicare Reimbursement Policy
Describes how Medicare reimbursement expanded to cover marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) in January 2024. Examines the change in Medicare-enrolled MFTs and MHCs between the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. Presents findings from semi-structured interviews with rural health system and mental health organization leaders regarding practice arrangements, the perceived impacts of MFT and MHC reimbursement, barriers to serving rural Medicare beneficiaries, and considerations for future policies.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, Davis G. Patterson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Describes how Medicare reimbursement expanded to cover marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) in January 2024. Examines the change in Medicare-enrolled MFTs and MHCs between the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. Presents findings from semi-structured interviews with rural health system and mental health organization leaders regarding practice arrangements, the perceived impacts of MFT and MHC reimbursement, barriers to serving rural Medicare beneficiaries, and considerations for future policies.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, Davis G. Patterson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Association Between Well-Being and Occupational Class in Small Businesses in the Rural United States
Examines mental health, stress, productivity, and more across different occupational roles in the rural United States. Utilizes 2024 survey data from 1,910 employees and analyzes mental health according to blue-collar versus white-collar occupation, demographics, and mental health condition.
Author(s): Laxmi D. Adhikari, Sampada Wagle, Bhagyashree Katare
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70172
Date: 06/2026
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Examines mental health, stress, productivity, and more across different occupational roles in the rural United States. Utilizes 2024 survey data from 1,910 employees and analyzes mental health according to blue-collar versus white-collar occupation, demographics, and mental health condition.
Author(s): Laxmi D. Adhikari, Sampada Wagle, Bhagyashree Katare
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70172
Date: 06/2026
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Faith, Hope, and Therapy: A Qualitative Study to Explore Faith-Based Leaders' Perceptions of Mental Illness in the Rural South
Examines the perceptions of faith leaders living in the rural South on mental illness, referrals to mental health professionals, and mental health stigma. Provides qualitative feedback from pastors and ministers regarding mental health and the role of the church, preparedness and training to address mental health, and the importance of relationships.
Author(s): Shameka L. Cody, Shena Sanchez, Wanda M. Burton, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 06/2026
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Examines the perceptions of faith leaders living in the rural South on mental illness, referrals to mental health professionals, and mental health stigma. Provides qualitative feedback from pastors and ministers regarding mental health and the role of the church, preparedness and training to address mental health, and the importance of relationships.
Author(s): Shameka L. Cody, Shena Sanchez, Wanda M. Burton, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 06/2026
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