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Mental Health First Aid
for Rural Communities

Stand with your community and learn to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.

Mental Health First Aid for Rural Communities

Rural communities face significant challenges in accessing mental health care. Mental Health First Aid for Rural Communities allows adults to acknowledge and begin to address those disparities, as well as identify the many unique strengths that come from living in a community of supportive neighbors, friends and families.

Learn more: download the MHFA for Rural Communities one-pager.

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Mental Health Matters in Rural Communities

22.7%

of people in non-metropolitan counties experienced a mental health condition.

1.8M

Approximately 1.8 million people living in rural areas reported having serious thoughts of suicide in the previous year.

Shortage

Rural areas are experiencing chronic shortages of mental health professionals.

How MHFA for Rural Communities Can Help

Reduces stigma

Increases mental health and substance use literacy.

Teaches an action plan to identify and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges among individuals living in rural communities.

Encourages an open dialogue about mental health.

Learn More

To read more about how Mental Health First Aid is helping critical populations,
check out our case studies , or read our blog and filter by population type.

Latest News & Updates

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father and young son sit in a farm field looking at their sheep and goats

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Rural Communities

The challenges people who live in rural communities are vastly different than those who live in urban areas. What is gained in wide, open spaces is traded for convenience. Trips to the grocery store take more planning and walking or taking public transportation is often not an option. More significant, access to medical services — including mental health care — may be sparse or non-existent. […]...

Mental Health First Aid
for Rural Communities