Rural Mental Health – Resources

Comparing Two Telehealth Approaches for Treating Complex Psychiatric Disorders in Primary Care -- The SPIRIT Study
Details a study on the use of telepsychiatry and telepsychology to treat complex psychiatric disorders in rural primary care settings. Discusses a trials done in 24 primary care clinics without behavioral health services. Compares models of care and draws conclusions from survey data.
Additional links: Audio Abstract Recording, En Español, Research Summary
Author(s): John C. Fortney, Jürgen Unützer
Date: 2022
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Suicide Prevention in Indigenous Communities: Proceedings of a Workshop
Report details the proceedings of a workshop addressing suicide prevention for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in tribal communities. Highlights suicide rates and prevention strategies in indigenous communities. Makes recommendations for improvement of data quality, cultural competency, and research, among other factors.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Addressing Burnout in the Behavioral Health Workforce Through Organizational Strategies
Offers organization-level interventions to prevent and reduce burnout among behavioral health workers and provides examples of strategies used by other organizations to address burnout. Mentions challenges that contribute to burnout in rural areas, including low occupational prestige and workforce shortages.
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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The Regional Distribution of Psychiatric Residency Positions Funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Its Relationship to Rural Veteran Populations
Details a study on the geographic distribution of psychiatry residency positions funded by the VA from 2014-2020. Breaks down data by residency locations, positions available, and rural versus urban areas served, among other measures.
Author(s): Matthew Vincenti, Anthony Albanese, Edward Bope, Bradley V. Watts
Citation: Academic Psychiatry, 46, 435-440
Date: 2022
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Emergency Department Visits for Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm in Rural and Urban Youth
Presents a study comparing rates of emergency room visits among youth aged 5 to 19 for suicidal ideation and/or self-harm in rural and urban areas. Breaks down data by age, household income, and rural-urban hospital status, among other measures.
Author(s): Jennifer A. Hoffmann, Matt Hall, Doug Lorenz, Jay Berry
Citation: The Journal of Pediatrics, 238, 282-289
Date: 11/2021
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Peer-Based Recovery Support Services Delivered at Recovery Community Organizations
Discusses the efficacy of peer-based recovery support programs in rural communities. Features a study on peer-based recovery support services are used in conjunction with clinical treatment for substance use disorder.
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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Technical Assistance Helps Community #SilencetheShameTN
Features behavioral and mental health programming offered by Henry County Medical Center and the community of Paris, Tennessee. Describes technical assistance and resources provided by the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development program to support this effort.
Author(s): Tami Lichtenberg
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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MACPAC Response to Senate Finance Committee Request for Information on Behavioral Health
Summarizes the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) ongoing analysis of behavioral health in Medicaid and CHIP and offers policy recommendations. Discusses the behavioral health workforce; behavioral healthcare service delivery and access; mental health parity; telehealth; and improving access for children and youth. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 11/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Unpacking the Geography of America's Youth Suicide Epidemic
Analyzes data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database from 2000 through 2019 looking at suicide rates in 10 to 24-year-olds by 15 community types such as aging farmlands, Native American lands, rural middle America, and more. Includes discussion highlighting suicide rates among Native American populations and differences between rural and urban residents.
Author(s): Dante Chinni
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Communities Project
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Racial/Ethnic Differences in Mental Health Service Use among Adults and Adolescents (2015-2019)
Report showing rates of mental health service use by race and ethnicity, including American Indians and Alaska Natives. Breaks down data drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015 to 2019.
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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