Factors that Affect Mental Health in Rural Communities

In the United States, approximately 1 out of 5 adults living in rural areas experience mental illness. Although the prevalence of mental illness and psychiatric disorders is similar in rural and urban areas, people living in rural areas experience unique influencing factors when it comes to managing their mental health.

The American Mental Wellness Association identifies many risk and protective factors for mental health conditions. Protective factors help promote positive mental health and make it less likely for mental health conditions to emerge or become problematic. Risk factors can make it more likely that individuals develop certain mental health conditions.

These factors are especially important to consider when developing and implementing programs. Understanding the influences of these factors on community members will help determine each rural community's specific needs for mental health services. Risk and protective factors can be societal, community, inter-personal, or individual characteristics.

• Societal
  • Poverty
  • Stigma
• Community
  • Availability of community resources
  • Housing instability
  • Economic security
  • Educational opportunities
• Interpersonal
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and other traumatic life experiences
  • Reliable support from peers and family members
  • Parental involvement and supervision
  • Family mental health and substance use
  • Social isolation
• Individual
  • Biological/genetic factors
  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Healthy diet and exercise
  • Coping skills

At the societal level, lack of resources related to poverty and limited educational opportunities are risk factors for developing mental health conditions. Overall, rural populations have lower median household incomes, levels of employment, and educational attainment than the general population. Shared experiences from the past may also affect mental health conditions across generations of affected groups, including tribal communities in rural areas.

At the community level, individuals living in rural areas are less likely to have access to mental health services and treatment, such as therapy and medication, due to a shortage of mental health workforce professionals.

Resources to Learn More

The Rural Mental Health Crisis
Website
Offers quick facts on the various issues affecting the state of mental health in rural America.
Organization(s): Mental Health America, Rural Minds