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MONDAY, JAN 9, 2023

Rural New York Mental Health Listening Tour Report

NORC at the University of Chicago and the University at Albany School of Public Health conducted a Rural Mental Health Listening Tour of New York State between March 2020 and September 2021 to elicit the input and experiences of community members living and working in rural areas and to obtain first-hand knowledge about availability, access, and utilization of mental health services, resources, and supports. Conversations centered on social isolation, the impact of close-knit communities, deep-rooted issues that impact mental health, service access and delivery barriers, lack of knowledge and understanding of available mental health services, and rural culture. This report elaborates on these conversations, presents multiple strengths and assets of rural communities, highlights model programs and success stories, and provides a comprehensive set of recommendations.