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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Suicide and suicide prevention

Exploring Spatial Dynamics of Trauma and Substance use Among Suicide Deaths in the United States (2017–2021)
Examines the spatial relationship among trauma, substance use, and suicide in the United States. Utilizes National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) data to generate county-level U.S. maps showing hot spot analyses of traumatic events, suicides, and substance use. Discusses regionality and rurality related to hot spot trends.
Author(s): Bianca D. Smith, Kechna Cadet, Terrinieka W. Powell
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 22
Date: 05/2025
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Impact of Telemental Health on Suicide Prevention Care in U.S. Emergency Departments
Describes results of a survey of 977 hospital emergency departments regarding the use of telemental healthcare, and presents data by hospital characteristics, including rural location and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status. Explores whether access to telemental healthcare affects use of six recommended suicide prevention practices. Compares the use of suicide prevention practices among patients with identified suicide risk by telemental healthcare status and CAH designation.
Author(s): Stephanie K. Doupnik, Cadence F. Bowden, Diana Worsley, et al.
Citation: Academic Emergency Medicine, 32(9), 956-965
Date: 05/2025
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Rural and Urban Differences in Suicide in the United States, 2018-2021
Highlights the rates of suicide across the U.S. from 2018-2021 in rural and urban areas. Discusses some of the geographic and demographic characteristics that correlate with higher rates of suicide. Breaks down data by year, demographics, Census and HHS regions, and rural versus urban location. Makes policy recommendations based on the report's findings.
Author(s): Qian Huang, Nicole Galler, Michael Meit, Amy Wahlquist
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
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Behavioral Health Epidemiologic Profile 2024: Rural Region, Nevada
Reports on behavioral health as of 2024 in Nevada's rural Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing, and White Pine counties. Includes general population statistics with detailed data on mental health, suicide, and substance use. Highlights topics in youth behavioral health and substance use among pregnant Nevadans.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
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Notes from the Field: Suicidal Thoughts and Knowing Someone Who Died by Suicide Among Adults — United States, 2023
Estimates the number of U.S. adults who had suicidal thoughts during the past 12 months and the number who personally knew someone who died by suicide. Includes data by metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Author(s): Bhavna Singichetti, Jing Wang, Robin Lee, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(12), 213-215
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Examining Contextual Differences in Suicide by Rural–Urban Designation and Military Status, 2009–2019: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Violent Death Reporting System
Presents a study exploring the mental health and substance use of suicide decedents by rurality and military affiliation. Breaks down data by decedents' characteristics, such as sex, age, education, military/civilian status, and rural/urban location, among others.
Author(s): J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Eliezer Santos Leon, Jon Davis, et al.
Citation: Injury Prevention, 31(2), 121-127
Date: 03/2025
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Pilot Implementation of a Telehealth Safety Planning Group Intervention for Suicidal Rural Veterans Enhanced by Lived Experience Veteran Peer Participation
Describes a pilot virtual suicide intervention program utilizing lived-experience rural peers offered to rural Arkansas veterans. Discusses successful implementation of peer recovery leaders and program impacts on firearm storage practices. Offers lessons learned and recommendations to those considering a similar program.
Author(s): Marianne Goodman, Madison Strouse, Caroline Boucher, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16
Date: 03/2025
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Factors Associated with Multiple-Death Suicides among Rural US Decedents
Examines themes related to multiple suicides, or suicide confirmed in 2 or more descendants, in rural areas. Utilizes 2013-2021 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) to analyze suicide deaths in rural areas based on meticulous planning, mutual dependency, unbearable health conditions, and other social factors.
Author(s): Victor A. Soupene, Timothy Hays, Jonathan Davis, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 02/2025
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Instability Continues to Threaten Rural Health Safety Net: Reduced Reimbursements, Dwindling Access to Care and Deteriorating Population Health Status
Examines factors contributing to the instability of the rural healthcare safety net, including policy-related reimbursement cuts and changes to payer mixes. Presents data on rural hospitals that have stopped offering obstetrics and chemotherapy services. Explores aspects of rural population health and social drivers of health as they relate to rural healthcare delivery challenges.
Date: 02/2025
Sponsoring organization: Chartis Center for Rural Health
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Trends in Emergency Department, Primary Care, and Behavioral Health Use for Pediatric Mental Health Conditions in Virginia Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines the relationship between access to primary and behavioral care and pediatric emergency department (ED) visits. Utilizes 2016-2021 data from the Virginia All-Payers Claims Database to analyze pediatric ED visits, mental health ED visits, ED visits for suicidality, and 2016 versus 2021 ED visits by various sociodemographic factors, including rural location.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Gilbert, Bergen B. Nelson, Jacqueline Britz, et al.
Citation: BMC Primary Care, 26, 54
Date: 02/2025
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