Rural Minds Founder and Chairman Jeff Winton Featured on Rural Radio Stations for National Rural Health Day
Recently, Rural Minds Founder and Chairman Jeff Winton was featured in news segments on rural radio stations across the U.S. The coverage coincided with National Rural Health Day on November 18, 2021. Jeff shared his personal story about the death by suicide of his nephew, Brooks, at Jeff’s family farm in rural upstate New York. This served as the tragic inspiration that led to Jeff establishing Rural Minds with the mission to serve as the informed voice for mental health in rural America, and to provide mental health information and services.
Jeff validated the disproportionate incidence of mental illness in rural communities by citing the unsettling fact that rates of depression and suicide are substantially higher in rural communities compared to suburban and metro areas. Additionally, challenges to mental health that are inherent in a rural lifestyle can include:
Self-imposed barrier of asking for help when taught to pursue self-reliance as a virtue;
Lack of trust in anyone to maintain confidentiality in a small, close-knit community;
Fear of negative judgment from others as being incompetent or less capable;
Difficulty getting an appointment with limited availability of mental health professionals;
Time and transportation required for long-distance travel to meet with a mental health professional;
Lack of adequate health insurance coverage;
Feeling of isolation without having access to talk with someone outside of the community who understands mental health challenges in rural America;
Weakening agricultural economy, financial instability; and,
A solitary way of life.
The radio segment aired on the following stations/networks in 23 states and one province in Canada reaching an estimated audience of 32,300 listeners.
Mid America Ag Network (KS, NE, OK)
Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network (IA)
WRDN Radio (MN,WI)
WDWS Radio (IL
WSMI Radio (IL)
KSIR Radio (CO, KS, NE, WY)
WKZO Radio (MI)
KNDK Radio (ND, MB)
WFMB Radio (IL)
WNCY-FM/WTAQ-AM-FM/WGEE-FM (WI)
Big Show Radio (IL, IA, MN, MO, NE, WI)
WASK/WKOA Radio (IN)
KGLO Radio (IA, MN)
Pacific Northwest Ag Network (ID, OR, WA)
Southern Farm Network (NC, SC, VA)
Ag Radio Network, Inc. (DE, MD, NY, PA)