Publications
Youth Resilience in Rural Communities: 90-Day Pilot Report
Forty percent of U.S. high school students report persistent sadness or hopelessness, with rural teens at nearly twice the suicide risk of their urban peers. Limited resources—most rural counties lack youth-serving mental health facilities—worsen these disparities. To address this, AscendRural piloted resilience-focused technology solutions in central Minnesota, aiming to measure their impact and community partner experiences.
Wired for Rural Well-Being: Three Priorities for Rural Connectivity
Access to broadband has been shown to be important for a wide range of well-being indicators, including
economic, educational, and health outcomes. A digital access divide persists between urban and rural areas. The aim of this paper is to introduce broadband connectivity and provide insights into how it can be used to cultivate well-being for people living in rural areas.
Position Paper: Wired for Rural Well-Being: Three Priorities for Rural Connectivity
Disparities in Rural Mental Health: The Case for Innovative Solutions
Mental health disparities in rural areas have long been a pressing issue, with rural residents experiencing higher rates of mental health challenges and fewer resources available to address their needs. This white paper dives deep into the factors contributing to these disparities, offering an in-depth analysis of access to care, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the unique challenges of living in remote areas.
