Rural Mental Health Resources
60 million Americans live in rural areas. Living in a rural area - places not near cities and with small populations and large, open land areas - presents different advantages and disadvantages when it comes to caring for your mental health.
These spaces can provide comfort, community, tranquility, while at the same time be isolating, and have limited available resources. There are many influences on the mental health of rural residents that must be taken into account such as stigma, access to care, resilience, isolation, cultural perspectives, technology and telehealth, and mindful living.
- 7.7 million nonmetropolitan adults reported having any mental illness in 2022, accounting for 23.0% of nonmetropolitan adults.
- In rural communities, the suicide rate is between 18.3 and 20.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to large urban communities where the rate is between 10.9 and 12.5 per 100,000.
- Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences a mental disorder within any given year. Yet, the misconceptions, myths, and cultural stigma associated with mental illness are significant barriers that keep people with mental health disorders from seeking and receiving treatment in rural areas.
Mental Health Challenges
Fear of negative judgment by family, friends, and community members for appearing weak or unable to deal with life’s ups and downs is just one of the many challenges that keep people from seeking help in rural areas. As members of small, close-knit communities, many rural individuals are also often concerned about a lack of privacy about their mental health conditions.
Stigma in rural communities
The stigma associated with mental health conditions is a major barrier to seeking help for many individuals in rural communities. Although mental health is important to overall health, some people don’t recognize mental health conditions as valid health issues. This type of thinking is often more common in rural communities, where a mental health condition can be seen as a personal weakness or character flaw, which adds shame to the struggles of someone already dealing with a mental health condition.
Understanding that mental health conditions are valid health issues – just like cancer or diabetes – is one step towards eliminating the stigma in rural communities. In addition, talking openly with others about lived experiences with mental health conditions, as well as providing support to those who are struggling, are essential to breaking down the mental health stigma.
Access to Mental Health Care in Rural Communities
In many rural communities, accessing mental health care is a significant challenge. Geographical remoteness, along with shortages of mental health professionals and facilities leaves many who seek support for their mental health without it.
- Rural areas have 20% fewer primary care providers than urban areas.
- 65% of rural counties do not have a psychiatrist.
- 81% of rural counties do not have a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
If you're living in a rural area and are struggling to find care, here are some places to start
Telehealth
Telehealth has emerged as a new resource to bridge the gap in mental health care for rural communities. In areas where access to mental health services are limited by distance or availability, telehealth offers a new option for some. Individuals in rural areas can connect with mental health professionals without the need to travel long distances. This convenience not only reduces barriers such as transportation costs and time off work. However, reliable internet access is still needed which we know is a large issue for many living in rural areas.
While telehealth provides a solution for many seeking help, its availability is not universal due to internet access.
When face to face isn't a possibility: Teletherapy as treatment
Belonging and loneliness
Rural communities often deal with mental health challenges stemming from feelings of loneliness or a lack of belonging. In these tight-knit but isolating settings, individuals may experience heightened feelings of social isolation and disconnection, which can take a toll on mental health and well-being. Additionally, individuals who have varying identities from the majority of their communities may experience this lack of connectedness or belonging even further. Providing opportunities for connection for all is essential.
I feel alone and want to use or drink
Is loneliness making my mental health struggles harder?
Connecting with your community (BIPOC)
Providing peer support in a rural environment (webinar)
Reaching for the rainbow: Meeting the needs of rural and isolated LGBTQ friends and neighbors
Community resilience
A strength within rural communities is their resilience. Resilience is an essential aspect of mental well-being and recovery. Often rural communities have a strength and interconnectedness that can contribute to mental well-being.
In response to the mental health crisis in rural America, Rural Minds and the National Grange have developed the Rural Mental Health Resilience Program to provide mental health information, resources, and training for people who live in rural communities across the country.
