Rural Mental Health – Resources

Notes from the Field: Suicidal Thoughts and Knowing Someone Who Died by Suicide Among Adults — United States, 2023
Estimates the number of U.S. adults who had suicidal thoughts during the past 12 months and the number who personally knew someone who died by suicide. Includes data by metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Author(s): Bhavna Singichetti, Jing Wang, Robin Lee, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 74(12), 213-215
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Ethics for Behavioral Health Professionals in Rural Areas
Webinar recording discusses ethics in behavioral health delivery in rural areas. Provides guidance for behavioral health professionals on shaping care through ethical decision-making models and highlights topics relevant to rural communities.
Additional links: Webinar Slides
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network
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Exposure to Firearm Injury and Suicide in a Rural Pennsylvania County: Implications for Mental and Behavioral Health
Presents a study exploring the relationship gun violence exposure and behavioral health indicators among a rural population. Bases findings on a survey of 630 residents of a rural county in Pennsylvania. Breaks down data by behavioral health indicator, level of exposure, and demographic information, such as age, sex, and economic situation, among other measures.
Author(s): Richard Stansfield, Daniel C. Semenza, Devon Ziminski
Citation: Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 48(1), 188-198
Date: 02/2025
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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