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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Mental Health – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Mental Health.

Online Screening Helps Michigan Men Gauge Mental Health
Features the Healthy Men Michigan campaign, which uses an anonymous online survey to evaluate the risk of depression and suicide among men in the state. Focuses on working-age Michigan men and on reaching those in male-dominated industries, using mental health messaging targeted to this audience.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Trends in Suicide by Level of Urbanization — United States, 1999–2015
Reports on suicide rates from 1999–2015, with data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and non-core (rural) areas. Discusses possible causes for geographic disparities in suicide rates, including limited access to mental health care, social isolation, and the opioid overdose epidemic. Also discusses the widening gap beginning in 2007-2008, which may relate to the impact of the recession on rural areas.
Author(s): Scott R. Kegler, Deborah M. Stone, Kristin M. Holland
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 66(10), 270-273
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Vermont Care Network Advocates for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Agencies
Highlights the work of the Vermont Care Network, which supports 16 non-profit agencies that provide behavioral health and developmental disability services in the state. Discusses cross-sector collaboration and integration of mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services with primary care.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2017
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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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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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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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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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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The Future of Rural Behavioral Health
Policy paper discussing the unique challenges of providing behavioral healthcare services in rural areas. Includes policy recommendations and interventions related to workforce development, reimbursement and financing, integration of care, and the use of technology in delivering behavioral healthcare.
Author(s): Will Wilson, Angela Bangs, Tammy Hatting
Date: 02/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Primary Care, Behavioral Health, Provider Colocation, and Rurality
Results of a study regarding the colocation of behavioral health and primary care service delivery as related to rural. Discusses challenges to colocation, including payment policies separating physical and behavioral health care, workforce distribution, and supply deficiencies, particularly in rural areas.
Author(s): Benjamin F. Miller, Stephen Petterson, Shandra M. Brown Levey, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 27(3), 367-374
Date: 05/2014
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AgriStress Provider Directory
Directory allows farmers and their families to search for mental health providers across the country. Users can search by need and postal code to find providers in their location.
Sponsoring organization: AgriSafe Network
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Last Updated: 2/24/2026