Rural Mental Health – Resources

Rural US Residents Recognize Anxiety Better than Urbanites and Suburbanites but Hold Similar Stigma
Surveys 627 adults to find whether rural adults are more likely to recognize anxiety symptoms when compared with nonrural adults. Also examines stigma regarding anxiety and compares results between both rural and nonrural adults and level of access to mental health services. Data is broken down by multiple variables including gender, race, age, household income, education, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Scott Loveridge, Mark Skidmore, Robert Shupp, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 860-869
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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Rates of Primary Care and Integrated Mental Health Telemedicine Visits Between Rural and Urban Veterans Affairs Beneficiaries Before and After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Shares the results of a study examining changes over time in rural-urban differences in telemedicine use for primary care and mental health integration services among Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries. Uses data from 138 VA healthcare systems from March 2019 to December 2021. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by visit type and rural or urban area.
Author(s): Lucinda B. Leung, Caroline Yoo, Karen Chu, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(3)
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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Availability of Behavioral Health Providers and Services in Rural Areas, with Holly Andrilla
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Holly Andrilla, Deputy Director of the WWAMI Rural Health Research Center. Focuses on rural availability of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, social workers, and counselors, as well as recent developments in access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Date: 03/2023
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Emergency Department Visits Related to Mental Health Disorders Among Adults, by Race and Hispanic Ethnicity: United States, 2018–2020
Report explores the rates of mental health-related visits to emergency departments (EDs) by race and Hispanic ethnicity. Breaks down data by race, mental health disorder, and urbanization level, among other measures.
Author(s): Zachary J. Peters, Loredana Santo, Danielle Davis, Carol J. DeFrances
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Urban–Rural Disparities in Deaths of Despair: A County-Level Analysis 2004–2016 in the U.S.
Presents a study exploring the rural-urban differences in drug, alcohol, and suicide mortality rates across the country from 2004 to 2016. Breaks down data by demographic factors, such as gender, employment, and health insurance, among other measures.
Author(s): Jong Hyung Lee, David C. Wheeler, Emily B. Zimmerman, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(2), 149-156
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Rural School- and Community-Based Programs Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth
Highlights several school and community based programs that support the mental health and wellness of LGBTQ+ youth in rural communities. Presents four case studies of youth programs in rural communities in Minnesota and Maine. Discusses the context, organizational overview, key features, and challenges and opportunities for each program.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Libal, Mariana Tuttle, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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VA Mental Health: Additional Action Needed to Assess Rural Veterans' Access to Intensive Care
Report examines the rate at which the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Intensive Mental Health Care programs were being utilized in rural areas. Highlights the difference in the utilization rate of the inpatient, residential, and outpatient mental health programs for both rural and urban veterans. Makes suggestions for how the VHA can improve these rates going forward.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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NACRHHS Update: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care Services
Webinar recording discusses the 90th meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services which focused on rural EMS and the integration of behavioral health into primary care services. Features presentations from representatives of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, the Bureau of Primary Health Care, Tri-Area Community Health, the Maine Rural Health Research Center, and the Kansas Health Institute.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides, Webinar Transcript
Date: 01/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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A Rural Therapist and School Program Address Teen Mental Health
Provides an overview of the behavioral health needs of rural teens. Features a rural West Virginia trauma therapist, as well as a rural Wisconsin school program that incorporates teenagers' strengths and interests and connects them with trusted adults in order to improve their mental health.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Filling the Gaps in the Behavioral Health Workforce
Discusses the shortage of licensed behavioral health workers in rural and underserved communities. Explores the roles of behavioral health support specialists and community-initiated care to support licensed behavioral health professionals. Offers policy recommendations to strengthen the roles of the nonclinical workforce.
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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