Investigating the effects of mental healthcare accessibility on mental health outcomes in rural areas

Abstract

Increasing rural-urban disparities in mental health outcomes have highlighted a critical problem at the root of mental health provision and accessibility in rural areas. In our study, we utilise the difference-in difference (DID) model and explore the impact of targeted mental health interventions on crude suicide rates in two neighbouring US rural states – Arkansas and Tennessee, from 2005 to 2018. Specifically, we assess the effects of the Arkansas Private Option, a Medicaid expansion program introduced in 2013. Our results indicate a significant reduction in crude suicide rates, with Arkansas experiencing a decrease by an average of 27.09 per 100,000 individuals compared to Tennessee after the intervention. We conclude with suggestions for further research on county-level analysis on the localised impacts of mental health intervention for different socio-economic groups, which could contribute to more equitable outcomes in mental health across diverse populations and settings.