Rural Community Perceptions on Youth Mental Health: Developing the Case for a Community-Engaged Approach

In light of the global pandemic and other sociopolitical changes, youth mental health has become a divisive issue in many communities. Despite disparities in rural mental health outcomes and the effectiveness of community-engaged prevention work, few studies consider rural community perceptions on such prevention approaches to youth mental health. Thus, as an initial step in a community-engaged, universal prevention effort, we spoke to 90 adults located in multiple rural communities to understand their fears, perceptions, and needs in response to the youth mental health crisis. Primary findings include: (a) despite a divisive context, a wide range of community members were interested in working together on mental health, but felt a need for consistent language, a shared understanding of the problem, and a clear concept of the role they could play; and (b) participants recognized that adults needed to be mentally healthy in order to support youth. Findings provide support for the following strategies to effectively employ a community-engaged, universal prevention approach: community listening sessions, public communication campaigns to develop a shared understanding of the risk and protective factors most salient to young people in their community, education to support relationships and mentally healthy adults, and strategic planning that allows each member to see their specific role. Public Health Significance Statement This study describes rural community perceptions on youth mental health, which may be helpful to those working on universal prevention strategies in communities. Community level work is essential to address youth mental health concerns but can be daunting given the present barriers. Providing insight into rural community perceptions can help support others in overcoming barriers and identifying where to start.