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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Mental Health – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Mental Health.

Understanding Treatment Gaps for Mental Health, Alcohol, and Drug Use in South Dakota: A Qualitative Study of Rural Perspectives
Details a study on gaps in access to behavioral health treatment in rural South Dakota. Discusses data collected from interviews with people in rural and tribal areas of the state with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Author(s): Lauren Broffman, Margaret Spurlock, Kristen Dulacki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(1), 71-81
Date: 01/2017
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Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Primary Care Practices
Provides tools, information, and resources to implement suicide prevention practices in primary care settings, including those in rural areas.
Author(s): Elizabeth Tupa, April Hendrickson, Ken Cole, Hannah Koch
Date: 2017
Sponsoring organizations: Suicide Prevention Resource Center, WICHE Behavioral Health Program
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Supply and Distribution of the Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural America
Discusses and compares the provider to population ratios of the behavioral health workforce in metropolitan and nonmetro (micropolitan and non-core) U.S. counties. A state-level analysis of the study is also available with information for all states.
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, Davis G. Patterson, Lisa A. Garberson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 09/2016
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Age at First Birth and Psychiatric Disorders in Low-Income Pregnant Women
Details a study on the correlation between women's age at the time of first giving birth and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Features data from low-income pregnant women from 5 rural counties in Missouri. Looks at the subjects' age, diagnoses, and income, among other factors.
Author(s): Maya Tabet, Louise H. Flick, Cynthia A.L. Cook, et al.
Citation: Journal of Women's Health, 25(8), 810-817
Date: 08/2016
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Disparities in Alcohol, Drug Use, and Mental Health Condition Prevalence and Access to Care in Rural, Isolated, and Reservation Areas: Findings From the South Dakota Health Survey
Presents a study comparing disparities in drug and alcohol use and mental health issues in rural and urban areas. Explores data from a cross-sectional survey of people in South Dakota in rural and urban areas, including on American Indian reservations.
Author(s): Melinda M. Davis, Margaret Spurlock, Kristen Dulacki, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 32(3), 287-302
Date: 06/2016
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Not Near Enough: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Nearby Behavioral Health Care and Primary Care
Analyzes the association of integrated behavioral health and primary care services with communities in rural areas and communities with higher percentages of African American and Hispanic people to gain a better understanding of the disparities in access to integrated care.
Author(s): Lynn M. VanderWielen, Emma C. Gilchrist, Molly A. Nowels, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 26(3) 1032–1047
Date: 08/2015
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Widening Rural-Urban Disparities in Youth Suicides, United States, 1996-2010
Analyzes the trends in suicide rates from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 2010 in rural and urban areas for deceased individuals aged 10 to 24 years using county-level national mortality data for all counties in the United States. Includes differences by sex.
Author(s): Cynthia A. Fontanella, Danielle L. Hiance-Steelesmith, Gary S. Phillips, et al.
Citation: JAMA Pediatrics, 169(5), 466–473
Date: 05/2015
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QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Rates for Suicide, by Urbanization of County of Residence - United States, 2004 and 2013
Bar chart comparing suicide rates in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan counties, with data for 2004 and 2013. Shows higher suicide rates for less urbanized counties.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 64(14), 401
Date: 04/2015
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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A Guidebook of Professional Practices for Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration: Observations from Exemplary Sites
Assists primary care and behavioral health practices in identifying professional practices that have developed a successful workforce model of integrated care. Several primary care organizations with effective integrated behavioral health and primary care participated in the study including 3 in rural areas.
Author(s): Deborah J. Cohen, Melinda M. Davis, Jennifer D. Hall, Emma C. Gilchrist, Benjamin F. Miller
Date: 03/2015
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Evaluation and Disposition of Medicaid-Insured Children and Adolescents with Suicide Attempts
Examines differences in the evaluation of youth ages 7–18 enrolled in Medicaid with suicidal behavior in rural, urban and suburban areas of Tennessee. Addresses differences associated with sociodemographic characteristics.
Author(s): Candice L. Williams, William O. Cooper, Leanne S. Balmer, et al.
Citation: Academic Pediatrics, 15(1), 38-40
Date: 02/2015
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Last Updated: 6/3/2025