Rural Mental Health – Resources

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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Expanding Care for Rural Patients
Discusses the telehealth psychology program at Texas A&M and the effect the program has had on mental health access across the state. Details the program's implementation and the ways it is overcoming barriers for rural people.
Author(s): Amy Novotney
Citation: APA Monitor on Psychology, 49(3), 64
Date: 03/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Psychological Association
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Behavioral Health Integration into Primary Care
Profile of a rural health system, Western Wisconsin Health (WWH), and its work to deliver behavioral health services. Provides an overview of how behavioral health providers and services were integrated with primary care, with a cultural change to focus on whole-person care. Includes information on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for the behavioral health services provided at WWH's Rural Health Clinic. Discusses how WWH behavioral health providers offer telehealth services to other rural areas of Wisconsin.
Date: 03/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Suicides Among American Indian/Alaska Natives — National Violent Death Reporting System, 18 States, 2003-2014
Compares differences in suicide characteristics and circumstances between American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and White populations. Includes data on age, sex, nonmetropolitan residence, mechanism and location of suicide, interpersonal circumstances, life stressors, mental health, and substance use.
Author(s): Rachel A. Leavitt, Allison Ertl, Kameron Sheats, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 67(8), 237-242
Date: 03/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reducing Depressive Symptoms Through Behavioral Activation in Churches: A Hybrid-2 Randomized Effectiveness-Implementation Design
Details a study on an intervention partnering with churches to address depressive symptoms in rural African American communities. Details the stressors that commonly affect African Americans, the ways faith communities can offer support, and how church leaders can work with mental health professionals to improve mental health outcomes.
Author(s): Tiffany Haynes, Jerome Turner, Johnny Smith, et al.
Citation: Contemporary Clinical Trials, 64, 22-29
Date: 01/2018
Type: Document
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Mental Health and Drivers of Need in Emergent and Non-Emergent Emergency Department (ED) Use: Do Living Location and Non-Emergent Care Sources Matter?
Highlights a study on mental health as cause of non-emergent emergency department (ED) use. Breaks down data by age, race, reason for admission, and whether the patient lives in an urban or rural location, among other factors.
Author(s): Moira C. McManus, Robert J. Cramer, Maureen Boshier, Muge Akpinar-Elci, Bonnie Van Lunen
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(1), 129
Date: 01/2018
Type: Document
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