Rural Mental Health – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Mental Health.
Factors Associated with Multiple-Death Suicides among Rural US Decedents
Examines themes related to multiple suicides, or suicide confirmed in 2 or more descendants, in rural areas. Utilizes 2013-2021 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) to analyze suicide deaths in rural areas based on meticulous planning, mutual dependency, unbearable health conditions, and other social factors.
Author(s): Victor A. Soupene, Timothy Hays, Jonathan Davis, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 02/2025
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Examines themes related to multiple suicides, or suicide confirmed in 2 or more descendants, in rural areas. Utilizes 2013-2021 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) to analyze suicide deaths in rural areas based on meticulous planning, mutual dependency, unbearable health conditions, and other social factors.
Author(s): Victor A. Soupene, Timothy Hays, Jonathan Davis, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 02/2025
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A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring the Role of Social Isolation in the Relationship Between Food Insecurity, Depressive Symptoms, and Resource Use Among Midwestern Rural Veterans in the U.S.
Presents a study focusing on the role social isolation plays in short an long-term food insecurity among rural veterans living in the Midwest. Explores rates of resource use and depressive symptoms associated with social isolation. Breaks down data by race, age, and employment status, among other measures.
Author(s): Mwiza A. Uwashimimana, Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Douglas A. Sneddon, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 17(2), 318
Date: 01/2025
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Presents a study focusing on the role social isolation plays in short an long-term food insecurity among rural veterans living in the Midwest. Explores rates of resource use and depressive symptoms associated with social isolation. Breaks down data by race, age, and employment status, among other measures.
Author(s): Mwiza A. Uwashimimana, Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Douglas A. Sneddon, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 17(2), 318
Date: 01/2025
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Rural Recovery Innovations
Discusses disparities in behavioral health recovery support services in rural, frontier, and tribal communities. Highlights innovative and promising practices for addressing behavioral health disparities, such as addressing stigma, supporting peer workforce, and addressing social determinants of health, among other measures.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Discusses disparities in behavioral health recovery support services in rural, frontier, and tribal communities. Highlights innovative and promising practices for addressing behavioral health disparities, such as addressing stigma, supporting peer workforce, and addressing social determinants of health, among other measures.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Behavioral Health Diagnosis, Service Utilization, and Spending Among Older Adult Medicare Beneficiaries: A Chartbook
Examines the prevalence of behavioral health (BH) conditions among older adults. Utilizes 2017-2019 Medicare claims and administrative data to examine BH diagnoses, BH service utilization, cost of services, and more. Includes data breakdowns according to diagnosis, substance use, rates of diagnoses and service utilization, service type, rurality, and additional demographic factors.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Examines the prevalence of behavioral health (BH) conditions among older adults. Utilizes 2017-2019 Medicare claims and administrative data to examine BH diagnoses, BH service utilization, cost of services, and more. Includes data breakdowns according to diagnosis, substance use, rates of diagnoses and service utilization, service type, rurality, and additional demographic factors.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Behavioral Health Crisis Services Billed to Commercial Insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare
Examines the extent to which three specific crisis service billing codes are used by commercial payors, Medicaid, and Medicare in 2020 in the 11 states and District of Columbia that cover these services in their Medicaid fee-for-service plans. Compares the rate of crisis service claims by state, rurality, and provider type.
Author(s): Crystal Blyler, Amy Edmonds, Allison Wishon, et al.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Mathematica
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Examines the extent to which three specific crisis service billing codes are used by commercial payors, Medicaid, and Medicare in 2020 in the 11 states and District of Columbia that cover these services in their Medicaid fee-for-service plans. Compares the rate of crisis service claims by state, rurality, and provider type.
Author(s): Crystal Blyler, Amy Edmonds, Allison Wishon, et al.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Mathematica
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Assessing the Feasibility of Creating a National Behavioral Health Workforce Database
Results of a project to determine the feasibility of developing a database of behavioral health providers and practices that offers up-to-date information to support research, policymaking, and public access. Identifies key elements, including demographics, licensure, education, and practice details. Includes information on databases focused on rural health.
Author(s): Frances Jiménez, Nicole Gauthreaux, Courtney Segal, et al.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Results of a project to determine the feasibility of developing a database of behavioral health providers and practices that offers up-to-date information to support research, policymaking, and public access. Identifies key elements, including demographics, licensure, education, and practice details. Includes information on databases focused on rural health.
Author(s): Frances Jiménez, Nicole Gauthreaux, Courtney Segal, et al.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force: Redesigning the Health Care Delivery System to Better Meet the Needs of Youth
Presents policy recommendations from 50 experts and thought leaders regarding how to maximize the potential of the U.S. healthcare system to better serve youth with behavioral health needs. Covers the behavioral health workforce, transparency and compliance with existing screening and treatment requirements, promoting integrated primary care and behavioral health services in pediatric settings, the needs of youth with the highest acuity behavioral health needs, and strengthening crisis and stabilization systems. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Presents policy recommendations from 50 experts and thought leaders regarding how to maximize the potential of the U.S. healthcare system to better serve youth with behavioral health needs. Covers the behavioral health workforce, transparency and compliance with existing screening and treatment requirements, promoting integrated primary care and behavioral health services in pediatric settings, the needs of youth with the highest acuity behavioral health needs, and strengthening crisis and stabilization systems. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Partner Perspectives of Tailoring Technology-Assisted CBT Depression Treatment for Perinatal People Served by Head Start
Examines the impact of tailoring technology-assisted perinatal depression (PND) treatment to improve mental healthcare access and health outcomes for women. Analyzes qualitative feedback from partners at a rural Michigan Head Start program regarding their perceptions on the treatment content and suggestions for modifications. Discusses challenges and barriers to PND in rural communities and the need for tailored mental health support.
Author(s): Marni J. Rubyan, Addie Weaver, Rana Kanafani, et al.
Citation: Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 19(2)
Date: 2025
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Examines the impact of tailoring technology-assisted perinatal depression (PND) treatment to improve mental healthcare access and health outcomes for women. Analyzes qualitative feedback from partners at a rural Michigan Head Start program regarding their perceptions on the treatment content and suggestions for modifications. Discusses challenges and barriers to PND in rural communities and the need for tailored mental health support.
Author(s): Marni J. Rubyan, Addie Weaver, Rana Kanafani, et al.
Citation: Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 19(2)
Date: 2025
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Blueprint for a National Prevention Infrastructure for Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders
Explores evidence-based policies and approaches to preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral (MEB) disorders among population groups across the U.S. Discusses the need for prevention services on top of acute or episodic care during MEB crises. Details the infrastructure and workforce required for comprehensive MEB prevention and makes policy recommendations.
Author(s): Marcella Alsan, Marthe R. Gold, Alina B. Baciu, Alexis Wojtowicz
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Explores evidence-based policies and approaches to preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral (MEB) disorders among population groups across the U.S. Discusses the need for prevention services on top of acute or episodic care during MEB crises. Details the infrastructure and workforce required for comprehensive MEB prevention and makes policy recommendations.
Author(s): Marcella Alsan, Marthe R. Gold, Alina B. Baciu, Alexis Wojtowicz
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Addressing Workforce Challenges Across the Behavioral Health Continuum of Care: Proceedings of a Workshop
Summary of presentations and discussions from a July 2024 public workshop to address workforce needs and challenges related to behavioral healthcare. Includes discussions of telepsychiatry collaborative care to improve rural access and capacity, and recruiting and retaining Native American healthcare providers in behavioral health settings.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Summary of presentations and discussions from a July 2024 public workshop to address workforce needs and challenges related to behavioral healthcare. Includes discussions of telepsychiatry collaborative care to improve rural access and capacity, and recruiting and retaining Native American healthcare providers in behavioral health settings.
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
- Behavioral health
- Behavioral health workforce
- Mental health
- Mental health conditions
- Suicide and suicide prevention
Last Updated: 7/30/2025