AscendRural

?? Today's the big day! We're thrilled to announce our Youth Resilience pilots in rural central Minnesota. We're teaming up with local leaders and two technology partners - Supportiv and psyche care - to pilot new solutions that meet rural youth mental health needs. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gUEuKP3q #rural #youthmentalhealth

?? Last week, we announced two pilots with Supportiv and psyche care to serve youth in central Minnesota. Learn more about our efforts - including the five community partners who are leading the charge - to support youth mental health in rural communities.

????? Kudos to Shane Riffle of Brainerd Family YMCA who spoke to Tess Taylor at WJJY?? about their participation in AscendRural's youth resilience pilots, that launched on Monday! The YMCA is using Supportiv to reach and support members navigating everyday struggles. https://lnkd.in/gMYQsvWd

?? Community and technology partners gathered in Staples this February to discuss youth mental health prevention in rural central Minnesota and how to pilot new programs to improve access. Learn more about our pilot programs, ?? announced yesterday ??, to improve youth resilience in rural communities. https://lnkd.in/gUEuKP3q

?? 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. ???? A new white paper from Heartland Forward 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. Find it at https://lnkd.in/etqrSzEh #ruralmentalhealth #ruralhealth #ruralwellbeing

?? AscendRural is excited to announce the release of an expansive white paper titled "Disparities in Rural Mental Health: The Case for Innovative Solutions" from Heartland Forward. The report sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by rural communities and highlights the urgent need for innovative, sustainable solutions. ?? Through this white paper, Heartland Forward and AscendRural are advocating for a shift in approach—one that embraces technology, community-driven models, and innovative policies to ensure that rural populations receive the support they need to thrive. ?? Find the executive summary and white paper at https://lnkd.in/etqrSzEh Thank you, Dave Shideler and team, for bringing this important work forward.

?? Youth mental health was a recurring topic at the AscendRural Summit, and for good reason. Today's rural youth face unprecedented challenges, yet they also hold immense potential to lead our future. At AscendRural, we’re excited about leveraging technology to support youth resilience. As highlighted during the summit, innovative solutions like digital tools and school-based interventions are bridging critical gaps in mental health support for rural youth. Technology uniquely equips us to scale care, reduce stigma, and empower communities. That’s why our inaugural challenge focuses on youth resilience. We’re driven to co-create tools that amplify preventative care and help rural youth thrive.? Together, we can pave the way forward for youth well-being in rural America. You can check out the full video here: https://lnkd.in/exsbYvxM discussing the current state of youth mental health, the importance of prevention work, and technology as a solution. #YouthResilience #RuralInnovation #AscendRural Gigi Chawla, MD, MHA, Julia Davick, Barbara Skodje-Mack, EdD, LMFT, LPCC, RPT-S

Come have a conversation with Sourcewell about AscendRural at the Smart Cities Connect conference. Bob Seward Robb Reid

?? On November 20th, AscendRural hosted a webinar to introduce community organizations across central Minnesota to our first pilot opportunity; leveraging innovative technologies to?support youth resilience and emotional well-being. ? We were thrilled to welcome nearly 50 participants who joined us to learn about our first pilot opportunity and how technology can address the unique challenges faced by our rural communities. ? We’re energized by the opportunity to work together and bring these pilots to life. Thank you to all who attended and shared your questions and perspectives. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes us! ? ?? Interested in learning more or getting involved? Visit ascendrural.org/pilot to explore how you can engage with our mission. #AscendRural #RuralInnovation #YouthResilience?

???In September, we held the first-ever AscendRural Summit—and we’re thrilled to share the highlights with you! The summit brought together local leaders, innovators, and change-makers to explore the barriers to?well-being faced by rural communities and discover new opportunities through innovation and collaboration. From thought-provoking discussions on rural mental health to innovative solutions for access, and availability, the Summit was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together to co-create a brighter future for rural America. ?? Check out our highlight video below to experience the energy, ideas, and impact the Summit facilitated. #AscendRural #Innovation #RuralAmerica #TechForGood #CommunityLeadership Zak Williams, Gigi Chawla, MD, MHA, Tina May, Amanda Weinstein, Engers Fernandez, Dave Shideler, Bob Seward, TJ Kennedy, Rachelle Schultz, Ed.D., Mary Grove, Melissa Kjolsing Sourcewell