(Family Features) Rural America is experiencing a mental health emergency. For residents of rural communities, there is evidence of higher rates of mental illness compared to those in urban communities. Suicide rates are 64-68% higher in rural communities compared to urban areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet people who live in rural areas are less likely to access mental health services.

Rural Americans are some of the most tenacious and giving individuals on the planet. While many of us identify as farmers and ranchers on a level far exceeding that of many “normal” careers, that devotion can come at a mental cost when managing the challenges associated with feeding the world.

MAYVILLE, N.Y. — Mental health nonprofit Rural Minds announced that the video “Closing the Mental Health Gap Among Rural Youth in the US,” produced in partnership with Pfizer, the National Grange, and USA TODAY, was recognized at the 46th Annual Telly Awards with three awards for excellence in branded content.

Senators continue working on President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” and ways to cut government spending. There is concern that Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act could all become targets.

The group “Rural Minds” warns that cutbacks would hit farm country the hardest.

“We’ve got to start looking at mental health differently than what we have done for generations, especially in rural areas,” says Jeff Winton a multigenerational dairy farmer from New York. “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 a Chautauqua County native and resident and mental health advocate, I was beyond appalled to read the callous comments made by the Dunkirk City Council in the article on May 10 OBSERVER, “Destitute man vexes city officials.”

Farmer’s are two to four percent more likely to die by suicide than any other occupation. A statistic Jeff Winton is all too familiar with after losing his own nephew, a dairy farmer, to suicide. After this event, Jeff created the non-profit organization Rural Minds, whose mission is to advocate for mental health awareness in rural America and to provide resources and information to those who need it.

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.

Join Rural Minds Founder and Chairman, Jeff Winton, as he discusses our ongoing work on behalf of the 46 million Americans living in rural areas with Doc Hamels, host of local access television program Chautauqua Sunrise. In particular, Jeff and Doc talk about the importance of May being Mental Health Awareness Month.

To help people struggling with social isolation and loneliness, Rural Minds Founder and Chairman Jeff Winton, in partnership with Pfizer Director of Occupational Health and Wellness Dr. Nicole Shaffer, recently embarked on radio interview tour to provide insight on addressing the mental health challenges that affect rural Americans. Those living in rural America disproportionately suffer from mental illness. Their interviews aimed to help reduce stigma by talking about mental health, recognizing unique barriers to mental health in rural America, and providing access to free mental health information and resources.

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.

With the current administration’s plan to implement global tariffs on certain countries, local leaders in the agriculture, mental health, and manufacturing fields are raising concerns about what the economic impacts of those tariffs may be on local communities.

Founder of Rural Minds, a locally based nonprofit focusing on mental health in rural areas, Jeff Winton, released a statement on Tuesday where he outlined his concerns over what effect the tariffs could have on the rural areas.

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.