Confronting the Impact of Policy and Legislation on Rural Mental Health - Mental Health America
By Jeff Winton - Rural Minds Founder and Chairman
The people of rural America face many challenges that are inherent in the volatility of farming, ranching, agriculture, mining, fishing, and forestry – industries that are the foundation of the rural economy impacting 46 million rural residents. Add to that geographic isolation, and it’s easy to see how stress and anxiety become a normal part of life in rural communities. For all of these reasons, Rural Minds – the only national 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on confronting rural mental health challenges and the stigma that surrounds mental illness – is dedicated to rural mental health awareness every month and every day of the year.
From our organization’s beginnings, the focus of Rural Minds has been on advocating for rural mental health equity, promoting mental wellness, and providing information and resources to confront rural mental health challenges and the stigma that surrounds mental illness.