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.

As we come to the end of another year, I am deeply grateful for the growing community that stands with us in support of rural mental health. This season reminds us that when we come together with hope, compassion, and determination, we can change and save lives.


Thanks to our partners, donors, volunteers, and team members, Rural Minds continues to expand access to mental health resources and lift up the voices of those facing challenges in rural America. Your generosity makes this work possible.


In this issue, you’ll find updates on how Rural Minds continues to expand our outreach and impact through webinars, presentations, media interviews, and partnerships – including the release of a new Rural Minds video created in partnership with Pfizer.


This holiday season I am reminded of a simple truth: in rural America, we are stronger together. This has been at the heart of Rural Minds since the beginning, and it continues to guide every step we take to improve mental health for people living in rural communities.


As we look ahead to 2026, I am filled with gratitude and optimism for what we can accomplish together.


Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season,

This holiday season, we invite you to join us in breaking the silence, easing the suffering, and ending the stigma around mental illness in rural America.

In the spirit of the season and “Stronger Together,” through the end of this year, a generous anonymous donor will match your donation. That means your support will go twice as far to improve – and potentially save – the lives of people facing mental health challenges in rural communities.

And please note that many employers offer year-end matching gift programs, which can increase the impact of your support even more. Rural Minds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.

Every contribution makes a difference. Whether your gift is big or small, you can help bring hope, connection, and vital mental health resources to individuals and families across rural America.

Double Your Impact and Donate Today

We’re proud to share a compelling new video that tells the origin story and mission of Rural Minds and highlights the urgent need to improve mental health in rural America.


We are deeply grateful to Pfizer for partnering with Rural Minds on the creation of this video. During this season of giving, their support is a powerful reminder that we are truly stronger together in the fight to bring hope, help, and life-saving resources to rural communities.

“How One Family’s Tragedy Sparked a Movement to Save Rural Lives”

After twenty-five years of sobriety, I’ve learned that recovery isn’t a finish line – it’s a way of living. My story took place in suburban New Jersey and the gay party scene of New York City, but the disease of alcoholism doesn’t care about zip codes. It strikes people in every small town, city, and countryside. Addiction knows no borders.

A recording of the latest Rural Mental Health Connections webinar – “Alcohol Use Disorder Among Women in Rural America” – is now available.

In this powerful session, Heather Majewski shared her lived experience with alcohol use disorder (AUD) offering an honest look at the challenges faced by women in rural communities. Dr. Pravesh Sharma of Mayo Clinic added key insights from new research aimed at improving support for women with AUD in rural America.

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 November 5, Jeff attended the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit in Washington, D.C., to participate in a presentation on employer priorities in health.

On November 14, Rural Minds Executive Director Chuck Strand gave a presentation at Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance’s Inaugural Mental Health Equity Convening in Chicago, IL.

On November 17, Jeff was the guest speaker at the Chautauqua Community Dinner in Chautauqua, NY, where he discussed the upcoming launch of Rural Minds’ Rural Youth Mental Wellness pilot program and provided an update on the current status of mental health issues in rural communities.

On November 16, Jeff attended a Buffalo Bills watch party hosted by the Mayville/Chautauqua Lions Club. Held at the Mayville VFW in Mayville, NY, the event featured a raffle benefitting Rural Minds that included autographed items from the Buffalo Bills. In the photo, Jeff is with Marie Duke, a Rural Minds supporter who helped to organize and promote the event.

On November 17, Jeff participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Health Equity Summit, a three-part virtual series bringing together local and national experts who are connecting communities and driving change in suicide prevention.

On November 20, Jeff was the featured guest on NAMI’s Ask the Expert webinar: “Recognizing and Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health in Rural America.” The discussion was moderated by Dr. Ken Duckworth, Chief Medical Officer of NAMI.

On December 3, Jeff spoke about the mental health challenges in rural America at the Montana Grain Growers Annual Convention in Great Falls, MT.

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

• South China Morning Post – ’A Slap in the Face’: Not All U.S. Farmers Happy with Trump’s U.S. $12 Billion Aid Package
  
• Agriculture of America Talk Radio Show – Jesse Allen Interviews Jeff

• IllinoisFarmRadio.com’s Farm Show – Farm Broadcaster Lorrie Boyer Interviews Jeff

• Chautauqua Sunrise – Television Host Doc Hamels Interviews Jeff 

• South China Morning Post – Things Were Already Grim for U.S. Farmers, Then China Tensions Worsened – Again

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.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor,

your gift to Rural Minds this holiday season will be matched for twice the impact.