Genesee & Orleans County Behavioral Health Needs Assessment
Problem
Rural communities are impacted by overdose and suicide yet have limited funding to implement programs, services, and supports.
Overdose and suicide rates in rural New York are significantly higher than in urban areas of the state. Overdose deaths have surged over the past 20 years, and rural counties experience some of the highest opioid-related mortality rates in the state (14.8 deaths per 100,000). Similarly, in 2023, the suicide rate in rural counties was 14.6 per 100,000 people, compared to the urban rate of 8.5, and increased by over 75 percent between 2000 and 2023.
New York State receives opioid settlement funding for overdose prevention services, a significant portion of which is distributed to counties and subdivisions. Genesee and Orleans counties, two rural counties in Western New York, were motivated to seek input from the community to help guide how they spend their settlement funding. They sought an objective partner to solicit open and honest feedback from professionals and community members about the highly sensitive topics of substance use, overdose, mental health, suicide risk, and stigma.
Solution
NORC conducted a survey and listening sessions with professionals and community members in Genesee and Orleans counties in Western New York.
NORC conducted a survey and a series of listening sessions to explore beliefs, experiences, stigma, resource availability, needs, and opportunities associated with substance use, overdose, mental health, and suicide within Genesee and Orleans counties. Participants included community members, the CARES Alliance and its subcommittees, and professionals from several sectors (e.g., businesses, faith-based organizations, hospitals, first responders and law enforcement, and schools).
Result
Findings will inform Genesee and Orleans counties’ efforts to provide programs and services that best meet the needs of their communities.
Participants overwhelmingly conveyed how substance use, mental health, and suicide affect community members of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds and how they are having a significant impact on their communities as a whole. They explained that heightened stigma, limited service availability, financial challenges, housing, and transportation difficulties are largely to blame. They described how many communities have a “not in my backyard mentality” that prevents individuals who are struggling to get the housing and care they need. Specific professional groups shared unique perspectives, including first responders, faith-based leaders, and school personnel.
Findings of the needs assessment will help Genesee and Orleans counties better understand community perspectives and needs related to substance use, overdose, mental health, and suicide; how to reduce stigma and increase help-seeking; and how to make best use of limited funding to design and tailor programming and services that meet the current and evolving needs of their communities.
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Project Leads
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Brett Harris
Senior Research ScientistProject Director
“Communities nationwide are receiving opioid settlement funding; it is critical that these limited funds are used in ways that best support the community. Leadership in Genesee and Orleans counties were forward-thinking in approaching us to help them identify community needs.”
