Rural Mental Health – Resources

County-Level Trends in Suicide Rates in the U.S., 2005–2015
Presents an analysis of national suicide rates for 2005-2015 by county. Highlights rate changes in rural versus urban areas.
Author(s): Lauren M. Rossen, Holly Hedegaard, Diba Khan, Margaret Warner
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55(1), 72-79
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
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Understanding Rural Communities
Podcast featuring an interview with Dennis Mohatt, the Vice President for Behavioral Health at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), discussing rural health and the stigma surrounding mental healthcare in rural communities. Covers what it means to work and collaborate with rural partners.
Date: 07/2018
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
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Geographic Variation in the Supply of Selected Behavioral Health Providers
Analyzes the geographic distribution of behavioral healthcare providers across the country. Breaks down data by metropolitan, micropolitan, and non-core counties and by psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Author(s): C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), Supp 3, S199-S207
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Good Things in Small Packages? Evaluating an Economy of Scale Approach to Behavioral Health Promotion in Rural America
Discusses the relative effects of serving smaller versus larger student groups in a school-based youth risk prevention and behavioral health promotion program. Evaluation results are reported from the three-year program - I Got U: Healthy Life Choices for Teens - delivered to eighth-grade and tenth-grade rural Mississippi students from 2012 to 2015.
Author(s): John P. Bartkowski, Xiaohe Xu, Jerri S. Avery, et al.
Citation: Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, 2018,1(1), 42-56
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Adequacy of Depression Treatment in Spouses of Cancer Survivors: Findings from a Nationally Representative US Survey
Examines data from the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey to compare depression treatment for spouses of cancer survivors with treatment for other married individuals across the United States. Explores socioeconomic and rural/urban disparities in treatment rates to improve mental health outcomes for cancer survivors and their families.
Author(s): Kristin Litzelman, Abiola Keller, Amye Tevaarwerk, Lori DuBenske
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 33(6), 869-876
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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State Legislative Approach to Enumerating Behavioral Health Workforce Shortages: Lessons Learned in New Mexico
Describes the model developed in New Mexico (NM) as a result of the Health Care Work Force Data Collection, Analysis and Policy Act, initially enacted in 2011, to address behavioral health workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas, and the increased demand for services due to Medicaid expansion in the state. Highlights the purpose of the legislation, the development of a statewide workforce committee, policies implemented, lessons learned, and offers suggestions for other states considering legislation supporting behavioral health workforce initiatives.
Author(s): Deborah B. Altschul, Caroline A. Bonham, Martha J. Faulkner, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6S3), S220-S229
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Closing Behavioral Health Workforce Gaps: A HRSA Program Expanding Direct Mental Health Service Access in Underserved Areas
Commentary describing HRSA's Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program, an initiative to address behavioral health disparities through supply and distribution of providers to underserved areas. Includes statistics on employment status and location of 1,975 graduates of the program.
Author(s): Hayden O. Kepley, Robin A. Streeter
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), Supplement 3, S190-S191
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
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Mental Health-related Physician Office Visits by Adults Aged 18 and Over: United States, 2012–2014
Examines adult mental health-related physician office visits by specialty and patient characteristics. Includes information on visits to psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and other physicians in large metropolitan, medium to small metropolitan, and rural areas.
Additional links: Questions for the Lead Author, NCHStats blog
Author(s): Donald Cherry, Michael Albert, Linda F. McCaig
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Providing Access to Mental Health Services for Children in Rural Areas
Policy brief discussing options for improving access to mental health services for rural children, including telemedicine, integration of behavioral health and primary care, and school-based care. Features 3 brief case studies.
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Preventing Suicide In Rural America
Policy brief focused on rural suicide prevention. Provides an overview of rural suicide rates and key suicide risk factors for rural residents. Identifies policy options for preventing suicide in rural areas and includes two brief case studies.
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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