“Rural Americans, including those here in New York State, are nearly 50 percent more likely to die by suicide than residents living in more urban areas. What is even more shocking is that young people growing up in rural areas like Chautauqua County are 74 percent more likely to die by suicide than their urban peers. This is unacceptable and something must be done before more lives are lost,” said Jeff Winton of Mayville, founder and chairman of Rural Minds, an organization dedicated to improving mental health in rural areas. “The formation of this committee will allow New York State to further focus and advance suicide prevention and improved mental health services for all residents of this state. A similar bill has been passed in Maryland that is helping to provide insights and greater understanding of this growing epidemic we have in America, where every 11 minutes someone dies from suicide.”

The Mayville Chautauqua Lions Club held a Bills Watch Party fundraiser for the organization at the Mayville VFW, that besides watching the game also included tailgate food and a raffle, with all of the proceeds going towards Rural Minds. One of the big items for the raffle was a Buffalo Bills player Dawson Knox cleat, donated from the team. 

There are four lions clubs in the county, and the Mayville Chautauqua Lions Club covers the area of Mayville, Westfield, Clymer, Chautauqua and Sherman. 

On Saturday, November 1, Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton was hosted by Doc Hamels on the television program Chautauqua Sunrise. The two discussed the ongoing crisis of mental illness in rural America, as well as the forthcoming National Rural Mental Health Month.

Rural Minds Executive Director Chuck Strand appeared on the Mental Health Matters Podcast with host Andra Hollenbeck. The podcast is offered in partnership with NAMI-Southern Oregon (NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness).

The two discuss the mental health challenges facing rural Americans, the barriers to access to mental healthcare in rural areas, and addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Jeff Winton was on a national radio tour this spring raising awareness about US farmers’ declining mental health when he had a startling realization. As he described to a series of radio hosts from Iowa to Texas the sense of isolation and despondency increasingly affecting the agricultural workforce, he noticed with a jolt that he was describing himself.

In the U.S., 23% of adults—nearly 60 million Americans—reported experiencing a mental illness in the past year, yet over half (54.7%) did not receive treatment (1, 2). Complex environmental and social factors contribute to this shortfall, and certain communities experience inequitable impacts (3). This includes the 20% of Americans living in rural areas, who often face gaping disparities in mental healthcare access stemming from a milieu of infrastructural and sociocultural factors (4–6). Sixty-five percent and 47% of rural counties lack a resident psychiatrist and psychologist, respectively, compared to 27% and 19% of metropolitan counties (7). Securing transportation to this physically distant care may be especially burdensome for those who lack public transit or depend on others for their transportation (8). Even telemedicine remains unfeasible for some rural areas, where broadband may be limited or entirely unavailable (9–12).

The Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club held its annual Rural-Urban Day recently. The guest speaker was Jeff Winton, founder of Rural Minds, who spoke to an audience of 50 attendees, including local students, regarding the need for good mental health in rural communities

Rural Minds Founder and Chairman Jeff Winton, a native and resident of Chautauqua County, NY, sits down with MyCHQ Owner and Operator Dylan Moran to discuss the issues underlying the mental health challenges in rural America.

As the United States's current administration continues to try and drastically reduce the federal deficit, a local non-profit organization is worried those cuts will harm many in rural America - including here in Chautauqua County.

Rural Minds founder Jeff Winton noted that while the recently passed Continuing Resolution keeps Medicaid and Medicare at current levels, it is only guaranteed for the next six months. At the same time, the enhanced premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act marketplace - which increase the affordability of marketplace health insurance coverage - will expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress extends them.

(Family Features) Throughout history, humans’ ability to rely on one another has been crucial to survival. Despite modern developments that help individuals live with minimal human engagement, the human need to connect remains.

However, in many parts of America, a trend toward isolation is emerging. Over the past two decades, people are spending more time alone and less time engaging with others in person, according to data from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. One segment of Americans at particular risk of social isolation, loneliness and their negative impacts are select populations who live in rural areas.

Join Katie Sale, Executive Director of ABC, for a conversation with Jeff Winton, Founder and Chairman of Rural Minds. Discover the history of Rural Minds and learn how they strive to be the informed voice for individuals affected by mental health issues in rural America.

On Tuesday, March 5, Jeff Winton, founder and chairman of Rural Minds, spoke with KSN News 3 about the impact of tariffs on Kansas farmers and their mental health. 

As uncertainty looms over potential trade disruptions with Mexico and Canada, Jeff highlighted the financial and emotional strain on rural communities. Jeff emphasized that farm foreclosures not only affect livelihoods but also the ability to pass farms down through generations, adding to stress and anxiety for those in agriculture.

5. Rural Minds

A very concerning health fact was brought to the Grange’s attention — people in rural areas, and especially farmers, are more likely to commit suicide than individuals in urban areas.

Rural people’s nature of being private about their affairs and their general determination to take care of themselves contributes to this problem.

The lack of mental health treatment in rural areas is also a contributing factor.

On Wednesday, January 29, Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton and Pfizer Global Medical Director for Employee Health Dr. Nikki Shaffer were interviewed by Bridgette Readel on the Weather and Ag program on WDAY 970AM.

Dr. Shaffer and Jeff discussed the impacts of the post-holiday season on mental health in rural America, along with the uncertainty accompanying the transitions in government.

Jeff Winton of Mayville, Rural Minds founder and chairman, was presented with the “Cap Creal” Communicator of the Year Award at the 193rd annual Forum of the New York State Agricultural Society.

“On behalf of the 46 million rural Americans we serve, our partners and our team members, I am honored and grateful to have received the New York State Agricultural Society’s 2025 ‘Cap Creal’ Communicator Award,” said Winton. “We appreciate the recognition and opportunity to raise awareness for rural mental health challenges and expand our work partnering with individuals and organizations to improve rural mental health.”

Jeff Winton, founder and chairman of Rural Minds, presented to the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club on the issues with rural America lacking good mental health services. Winton said suicide rates are very high for the 14% of the population, or 46 million. He gave a variety of reasons including isolation, lack of services, the stigma of receiving services, family secrets, etc. A 24-hour help line is available by calling or texting 988.

The New York State Agricultural Society Cap Creal Awards spotlight the work contributed by a variety of stakeholders to disseminate well-executed communications about NY agriculture and food. The three awards include: Communicator of the Year, Digital & Social Media Champion, and Traditional Journalism.

This year, Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton was selected for the 2025 Communicator of the Year Award.

Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton and Pfizer Senior Director for Operation Health and Wellness Dr. Nikki Shaffer recently joined host Jesse Allen on his radio program, Agriculture of America, to discuss how to handle the stressors and mental health challenges that oftentimes accompany the holiday season.

Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton is joined by NY FarmNet Family Counselor Christina Marsh on host Doc Hamels’ Chautauqua Sunrise. Doc discusses the mental health crisis in rural America with Jeff and Christina.