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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Mental health

Interstate Occupational Licensure Arrangements to Expand Access to Behavioral Health Services
Policy brief describing state-based provisions to expand behavioral health services through interstate licensure arrangements for providers. Discusses potential impact on provision of behavioral health services, including telehealth, with a focus on how expanded services might enhance access for rural residents. Features state-level maps showing where legislation has been enacted or introduced, as of November 2024.
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, Janessa M. Graves
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Understanding Rural Schools' Capacity to Learn About Evidence-Based Practices That Promote Youth Mental Health: A Comparative Case Study
Examines the capacity of rural middle schools to learn about mental health evidence-based practices (EBPs). Utilizes survey and interview data from 11 middle school staff to discuss barriers and facilitators related to school implementation of mental health EBPs as well as the role of intermediary support and expert collaboration.
Author(s): Savannah Hobbs, Elaine S. Belansky, Nick Cutforth, Cynthia Hazel
Citation: The Rural Educator, 46(3), 6-23
Date: 07/2025
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Grow Benzie Amplifies Community-Led Solutions in Rural Northern Michigan
Features the work of Grow Benzie, a rural prosperity organization that collaborates with community projects to improve rural Benzie county in Michigan. Discusses the Stories That Heal project, a community series focused on telling stories about mental health, belonging, lived experience, and overcoming stigma.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Center for Rural Health
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Policy Brief: Factors Contributing to Child And Youth Mental Health Struggles
Provides information on youth mental health in Ohio. Focuses on variables that impact mental health, such as smart phones and social media, housing instability, and involvement in child welfare services. Includes county-level map showing percentage of Ohio students who are homeless.
Author(s): Becky Carroll, June Postalakis
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
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Associations Between Screen Time Use and Health Outcomes Among US Teenagers
Examines screen use and its correlation to health outcomes in teenagers aged 12 to 17. Utilizes self-reported data from the 2021–2023 National Health Interview Survey-Teen (NHIS-Teen) to analyze physical activity, sleep, weight, and mental health, further broken down by respondent demographics, including metro versus nonmetro location.
Author(s): Benjamin Zablotsky, Amanda E. Ng, Lindsey I. Black, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 22
Date: 07/2025
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Illegally Made Fentanyl Use in the United States: 2022 and 2023
Report highlights findings from the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) on the use of illegally made fentanyl across the U.S. Explores co-usage with other drugs, emergency room visits/hospitalizations, and breaks down user characteristics by age, poverty level, and rurality, among other measures.
Citation: NSDUH Data Brief, 2(2)
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Rural Veterans' Thoughts on High Suicide Rates in Their Communities—and on What to Do About It
Highlights a study on the perspective of rural veterans on methods for suicide prevention in their communities. Bases findings on a survey of veterans in rural counties in Oregon and explores perceptions around socioeconomic resources, person-centered healthcare, and having a strong sense of community.
Author(s): Lauren M. Denneson
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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Access and Quality of Mental Health Services in Rural and Urban America
Research brief documenting recent trends in mental healthcare access and quality in urban and rural communities. Features state-level maps showing locations of mental health facilities, a county-level map with shadings showing driving distances to any mental health facility or access to telehealth, and statistics on ZIP code area demographics, with breakdowns by urban, large rural, and small rural area.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Sophia N.D. Negaro, Rachel M. Hantman, et al.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
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South Dakota Health Professional Shortage Areas: Mental Healthcare
South Dakota map showing geographic, population, and automatic Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Office of Rural Health
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Vermont Annual Suicide Data Report: Data through 2024
Presents an overview of suicide in Vermont, exploring trends, risk factors, and the burden of suicide on healthcare systems and communities. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural areas.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Vermont Department of Health
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