Our mission is to serve as the informed voice for mental health in rural America, and to provide mental health information and resources. We are working to confront mental health challenges in rural communities and the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

August is a time of transition – summer is still in full swing, yet the promise of fall is just around the corner. In rural communities, that often means even longer workdays due to agricultural harvests, back-to-school preparations, busy schedules, and the stress that comes along with the rewards of the season.

This is a good time to pause, check in on yourself, and to reach out if you or someone you know needs extra support. Rural life has its unique challenges, and the people who live in rural America have deep strength and resilience. Let's work together so no one has to face mental health challenges alone.

In this issue, you’ll find updates on how Rural Minds continues to expand our outreach and impact through partnerships, podcasts, webinars, presentations, and media interviews – including for an episode of the PBS documentary series Roadtrip Nation, filmed at my dairy farm in upstate New York.

Thank you for standing with us to bring hope, connection, and mental health resources to rural America.

Earlier this month, Jeff welcomed Roadtrip Nation to his dairy farm in the Lake Erie region of New York to film an episode that will air on PBS. The nonprofit career exploration series is traveling the country on its Mental Health & Wellbeing Roadtrip, where three young adults – Anjali, Davida, and Raul – are interviewing people whose work is advancing a more equitable and creative vision of mental, physical, social, and emotional health.

“I was so inspired by the conversation I had with them,” says Jeff. “Along with sharing my personal story, we talked about how each of us can play a role in building greater well-being for everyone.”

The documentary is set to premiere in summer 2026, but you don’t have to wait until then to be inspired. You can explore other Roadtrip Nation documentaries now at roadtripnation.com.

Rates of depression and suicide among youth are rising and social media may play a role. A new study found that as preteens used more social media, their depressive symptoms increased. Although it’s unclear as to why, prior research indicates associated risk factors may include cyberbullying and disrupted sleep.

How can parents help? As the school year begins for many students and their families, here are some resources:

• Experts recommend screen-free family time and open conversations. In addition, check out the Academy of Pediatrics’ Family Media Plan that includes tools to help create healthier digital habits for both parents and their children.

• This American Psychiatric Association article – “How to Help Children and Teens Manage Their Stress” – provides some valuable information about recognizing the signs of stress and healthy ways for children and teens to cope.

Youth in rural America face added challenges when it comes to mental health. Studies indicate that suicide rates among rural teens ages 15 to 19 years are nearly 74% higher than in urban areas. In response, Rural Minds is developing a Rural Youth Mental Wellness pilot program, which will be promoted nationally in 2026.

By Jeff Winton

Rural communities are often perceived as idyllic and peaceful places to live. For many people, however, the social isolation and loneliness associated with living in rural America can negatively impact their mental health. Farmers are among those most affected, as their unique lifestyle and work conditions can contribute to heightened anxiety, stress, and depression. And as their mental health suffers, so too does the resilience of our local and nationwide food systems, which depend on farmers to grow crops and raise animals for meat, dairy and egg production.

There’s a growing mental health crisis among veterinary professionals. Research shows that veterinarians face a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to the general population: 2.1 times more likely for men and 3.5 times more likely for women.

To help address this crisis, we’ve partnered with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and NY FarmNet to create a free online course: “Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention in Rural America.” This course offers practical strategies, tools, and resources for recognizing and responding to mental health challenges.

While designed with veterinary and agricultural professionals in mind, the information provided in the course is valuable for anyone living or working in rural communities.



You can access the course for free through eCornell.

Here are some highlights of the events that featured Rural Minds over the last few weeks to help raise awareness of rural mental health challenges and provide actionable information and resources for confronting the mental health crisis in rural America.

On June 25, Jeff participated in a Farm Foundation Forum: Reviving Rural – Agriculture as the Heartbeat of Healthy Communities. Click here to watch the webinar.

On July 18, Jeff spoke at a U.S. Food and Drug Administration open public hearing. During his testimony, he highlighted the challenges people in rural communities face with accessing mental healthcare and the need for effective mental health treatments, especially for rural residents living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Click here to listen to Jeff’s testimony.

On July 21, Rural Minds Executive Director Chuck Strand gave a virtual presentation about rural mental health for United Healthcare Community Plan of Ohio’s Monday Morning Meeting.

Click on the links below for some of Rural Minds’ latest media coverage:

• Lancaster Farming - National Nonprofit Helps Rural Youths Prevent Suicide

• The Post-Journal – Facing Challenges Lack of Rain Creates Concerns for Some Farms

• Lancaster Farming – Rural Mental Health Nonprofit Supports EPIC Act

• High Plains Journal – Forum Discusses Reviving Rural Communities

• The Daily Yonder – Proposed Federal Cuts Put Rural Behavioral Health Resources on the Line

• Angus at Work – Protecting the Minds of Rural America

• eLiving Today – Barriers to Healthcare for Rural Americans

Be sure to visit the “Rural Minds in the News” webpage to see additional media coverage of Rural Minds that helps increase awareness about mental health challenges in rural America and the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Rural Minds depends on personal donations and corporate support to develop and distribute educational information and resources to improve mental health in rural America. Your donation to Rural Minds provides content and programs at no charge to help confront the mental health emergency in rural communities and the stigma that surrounds mental illness.