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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Mental health conditions

Improving Behavioral Health Services for Individuals with SMI in Rural and Remote Communities
Discusses behavioral health workforce shortages in rural and remote areas and the effect this has on healthcare access for people with serious mental illness (SMI). Highlights strategies for reducing barriers to access and improve workforce retention. Provides examples of programs to improve access in various states.
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organizations: American Psychiatric Association, SMI Adviser, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adults with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, February–March 2021
Examines symptoms of anxiety or depression, new or increased substance use, and suicidal ideation among adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes data for urban and rural locations.
Author(s): Mark É. Czeisler, Amy Board, JoAnn M. Thierry, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(34), 1142–1149
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Association of the Neighborhood Built Environment with Incident and Prevalent Depression in the Rural South
Shares the results of a study examining if the built environment is associated with depression for residents living in rural Washington Parish, Louisiana. Examines if observed associations between rural built environments and depression can be mitigated by physical activity. Table 1 details the demographic characteristics of the rural study population.
Author(s): Christopher E. Anderson, Stephanie T. Broyles, Maeve E. Wallace, Lydia A. Bazzano, Jeanette Gustat
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 18, 200605
Date: 07/2021
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Perceptions of Diseases of Despair by Members of Rural and Urban High-Prevalence Communities: A Qualitative Study
Reports on a study of community perceptions of despair-related illnesses based on 4 focus groups of 60 patients from 1 urban and 2 rural census blocks in central Pennsylvania where diseases of despair (DoD) are prevalent. Discusses perceived causes of DoD, such as economic instability, substance misuse, and fragmented family life; and intervention strategies at the community, local, and state level.
Author(s): Daniel R. George, Bethany Snyder, Lauren J. Van Scoy, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(7), e2118134
Date: 07/2021
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ACEs Screening in Rural California: Exploring Provider Perspectives and Experiences
Report examining the implementation of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screening in rural communities in Northern California based on interviews with Medi-Cal providers. Discusses opportunities to support screening, referral, and treatment as well as barriers, including limited time, resources, infrastructure, and skilled staff. Discusses disproportionate rates of ACEs in rural adults and health impacts of ACEs.
Author(s): Kathryn Stewart, Lisa Tadlock, Shauna Olsen, Sue Grinnell
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organizations: California Department of Health Care Services, Northern ACEs Collaborative, Population Health Innovation Lab, Public Health Institute
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Treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Rural Montana
Profiles how St. Peter's Health - a health system in Helena, Montana - developed and implemented a parental support system to address gaps in postpartum mental health care. Discusses partnerships St. Peter's Health utilized to connect parents with community-based services and supports. Offers lessons learned and future goals for the program.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Strengths and Barriers in Implementing the ACE Screening Tool in Tribal, Urban Indian, and Rural Settings
Report examining barriers to the implementation of consistent Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) screening in rural, tribal, and urban Indian clinics through the California Medi-Cal ACES Aware program. Describes barriers and recommendations related to issues of addressing resiliency, administering screening during a crisis, potential to trigger trauma or other sensitivity in the patient, and cultural appropriateness based on 12 key informant interviews.
Author(s): Becky Garrow, Maureen Wimsatt
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: ACEs Aware
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Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
Evidence-based resource guide examining telehealth initiatives to treat serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD) based on published research. Topics cover effectiveness of telehealth modalities, implementation of evidence-based practices, examples of telehealth treatment programs, and evaluation resources. Discusses rural-specific concerns throughout the guide.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Characterization of Mental Illness Among US Coal Miners
Describe the prevalence of and risk factors for mental illness among 2,808 active and former coal miners from central Appalachia who received clinical care at Stone Mountain Health Services Black Lung Clinic between 2018-2020. Features statistics with breakdowns by degree of depression, pulmonary risk factors, and length of time spent working as a miner.
Author(s): Drew Harris, Timothy McMurry, Amanda Caughron, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(5)
Date: 05/2021
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Factors Affecting Adoption of Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM) in Veterans' Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
Explores the efficacy of a training program designed to educate rural providers on evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) in VHA affiliated clinics. Details the barriers and facilitators of the program in rural areas and features the perspectives of providers who participated in the program.
Author(s): Anthony H. Ecker, Traci H. Abraham, Lindsey A. Martin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(2), 447-455
Date: 03/2021
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