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CENTRE FOR RURAL & REMOTE MENTAL HEALTH
Quarterly Report
July – September 2019
About the CRRMH
The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) is based in
Orange NSW and is a major rural initiative of the University of Newcastle
and the NSW Ministry of Health. Our staff are located across rural and
remote NSW.
The Centre is committed to improving mental health and wellbeing in rural
and remote communities. We focus on the following key areas:
• the promotion of good mental health and the prevention of mental
illness;
• developing the mental health system to better meet the needs of
people living in rural and remote regions; and
• understanding and responding to rural suicide.
As the Australian Collaborating Centre for the International Foundation for
Integrated Care, we promote patient-centred rather than provider-focused
care that integrates mental and physical health concerns.
As part of the University of Newcastle, all of our activities are underpinned
by research evidence and evaluated to ensure appropriateness and
effectiveness.
Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
PO Box 8043
Orange East NSW 2800
T +61 2 6363 8444
crrmh.com.au @crrmh @crrmhnsw /company/crrmh
2 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Contents
Report Page
Director’s Report 4
Snapshot of the Quarter 5
Research 6
John Hoskin Library 7
Connections 8
Communications 11
Online Connections 13
Partnerships 15
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) 18
Staff News & Achievements 20
Appendix 21
3 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Director’s ReportCentre Director Professor David Perkins
There is only one real theme this quarter, only one conversation and that is the drought. Its impact arises in many guises and impacts all of us in different ways. One theme is clear – no one seems to have a clear idea about how to address it. There is anobvious political imperative to do something and a wide range of initiatives from government, voluntary organisations and communities themselves to deal with impacts such as water insecurity, shortages of animal feed, the continued costs which are not balanced by incomes, the impact of reduced incomes on rural businesses and the impact on the carers and services such as our RAMHP Coordinators, Rural Resilience Workers and similar services.
The question, “Who cares for the carers?” arises in many forms. Our RAMHP workers live and work in rural and remote areas. Theyare “permanent residents” and cannot go home to escape the rigours of the drought. We have also experienced early and seriousfires in the north of the state, and our RAMHP workers are fully engaged linking people to the services they need, providing information, and playing their full part in the strategic response. Frequently, they are going beyond their roles supporting newly appointed staff and new arrivals appointed to provide extra short-term resources. Our rural and remote staff and their families are not immune personally from the difficulties facing their communities with rural businesses and amenities facing reduced incomes and challenges to their viability and continued existence. As an established high-quality service, RAMHP and the CRRMH support team are proving their worth and their resilience and it is encouraging to see that contribution being recognised.
Most recently, the CRRMH was awarded the National Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Organisation of the Year and this follows upon the TheMHS Medal for the Glove Box Guide, a NSW Premiers Award, and a national nomination for our podcast series. Such recognition is encouraging but should not divert us from the main game which is the support of rural communities and their members as they face various adversities. These are long term issues requiring consistent and reliable support and towards the end of another year, I am truly proud of our team and their contribution to rural Australia.
David Perkins,Director CRRMH
4 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Snapshot of the Quarter
5 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Research
7 new papers
published
2 conference
presentations
John Hoskin Library
367 articles supplied to
CRRMH and LHD staff
Connections Communications Online Connections
Partnerships RAMHP
Glove Box Guide to
Mental Health
awarded the TheMHS
Medal for Mental
Health
Staff Achievements
RAMHP Coordinator
Jen Keoiskie
awarded the
Rainbow Inclusion
Award for her part in
the Rainbow Waves
festival
Full Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health podcast series released, with over 3,000 listens
CRRMH Director David Perkins key presenter at International Initiative for Mental Health LeadershipExchange
The Orange Declaration on Rural and Remote Mental Healthlanding page launched on website
CRRMH releases
findings from
Barnados
Australia LINKER
Service evaluation
report at its official
launch
ResearchCompiled by Research Assistant Lucy McEvoy
6 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
For more detailed information please see Appendices 1-5
7 new papers published 2 conference presentations
Research Lead Dr Hazel Dalton
at the Barnardos Australia
LINKER service launch in
September.
The Mental Health Services
Conference in Brisbane in
August - Building Healthy
Communities: Stories of
Resilience and Hope.
Associate Professor Nelly Oelke on
a Research Fellowship from the
University British Columbia.
John Hoskin LibraryCompiled by CRRMH Librarian Paul Stanfield
Short ready reference inquiries proved to
be high for this period, especially for Western
NSW LHD staff (96) and patients (83).
Inter-library loan requests (GRATIS) were
quieter for this period for Western
NSW LHD staff (18). UON inter-library loan
requests were also down.
Articles supplied by the CRRMH library
were down for Western NSW LHD staff (198),
but stable for CRRMH staff (145).
Data collection for library statistics has
changed during this quarter, the following
table represents estimate figures only.
7 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Library Activity CRRMH
staff
LHD
Staff
Patients Students Other
health
Total
Short reference 44 96 83 19 9 251
Inter-library loan requests
(GRATIS)
6 18 18 42
Inter-library loan requests
(UON)
5 14 19
Inter-library loans incomplete 2 3 4 9
Request supplied from
CRRMH library
145 198 4 20 367
Requests supplied externally
to CRRMH library
8 12 20
Loans 6 59 2 12 4 93
Library Updates: CRRMH Librarian Paul Stanfield attended training in Endnote, research methods and web design at the UON
Callaghan campus from August 5 – 9. Paul continues to work with UON Senior Research Librarian Debbie Booth on developing collection
management strategies and identifying the research needs of CRRMH academic staff.
During the quarter, the reoccurring themes in CRRMH literature searches were stress and farming accidents.
ConnectionsCompiled by Senior Development Officer Vanessa Delaney
Key dates sector planning: In early July our RAMHP and CRRMH Communications Coordinators Lauren Dunkley and Jocie Johnston headed to Sydney to discuss planning for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day and RUOK? Day. The meeting was hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia, and communications and media representatives from across the mental health sector provided an update on key initiatives and discussed ways of working together.
International Leadership Exchange: CRRMH Director David Perkins was in Boulder, Colorado in September key presenting at the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) Leadership Exchange. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to share with international leaders the work that is taking place in Australia, including the work being led by the CRRMH in community wellbeing collaboratives and rural suicide prevention.
8 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
World Suicide Prevention Day launch: Senior Development
Officer Vanessa Delaney attended the official launch of World
Suicide Prevention Day at Parliament House in Canberra on
September 10. The event was organised by the Parliamentary
Friends of Suicide Prevention, led by Julian Lesser MP and
Mike Kelly MP, and hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia
(SPA). SPA unveiled the latest in suicide prevention research
with the launch of its white paper “Turning Points: Imagine a
world without suicide”. Guest speakers included Prime Minister
Scott Morrison, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt and Shadow
Minister for Health Chris Bowen.
Connections cont.Compiled by Senior Development Officer Vanessa Delaney
Towards Zero Suicides planning workshop: OnSeptember 10 Research Lead Dr Hazel Dalton attendeda planning workshop to support the NSW Premier’s Towards Zero Suicides Premier’s Priority to reduce thesuicide rate in NSW by 20 per cent by 2023.
This unprecedented commitment is a unique opportunityfor a whole-of-system and community-wide approach needed to reverse NSW’s rising suicide rate. Representing the CRRMH, Hazel joined people withlived experience of suicide, suicide prevention experts,key mental health system decision makers, leaders from community managed organisations, government agencies, and the research sector to contribute to a successful and coordinated approach to deliver the Premier’s Priority.
NSW Mental Health Minister, the Hon Bronwyn (Bronnie) Taylor joined the workshop, discussing her rural background, interest and expertise in health and implored the group to seek workable solutions.
Unicef Youth Drought Summit: RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton joined Unicef’s
Working Committee to assist with organising the Youth Drought Summit. Tessa joined other
rural stakeholders and service providers to ensure adequate support options were available
at the Summit and that the agenda met the needs of drought affected youth.
9 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Telecommunications in
Rural Areas: RAMHP
Program Manager Tessa
Caton attended a meeting in
Dubbo with CEO of NBN
Stephen Rue, Minister for
Communications The Hon.
Paul Fletcher and Assistant
Minister for Regional
Services, Decentralisation
and Local Government The
Hon. Mark Coulton.
The purpose of this meeting
was to raise the importance
of quality internet connections
to rural communities being
able to access online mental
health support services.
CommunicationsCompiled by Senior Development Officer Vanessa Delaney and Communications Coordinator Jocie Johnston
Projects
11 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Let's Talk Rural Mental Health Podcast – Series 3: The team was delighted to work once again
with journalist and producer Kia Handley to produce a third series of the award- winning Let's Talk
Rural Mental Health podcast. While the series launched in June, the
full series was released this quarter.
The links to each podcast episode in series 3 are as follows:
Episode 1: Carer’s Mental Health
Episode 2: First responder wellbeing
Episode 3: Low prevalence mental illnesses
Episode 4: Alcohol and Other Drugs
Episode 5: Masculinity and Mental Health
Episode 6: Homelessness
Editorial
Yass Tribune: The team
worked with RAMHP
Coordinator Judy Carmody to
develop content for a regular
monthly column in the Yass
Tribune. The following three
issues were published in July,
August and September.
July: Caring for our carers
August: Looking after our
homeless
September: Talking to
someone about suicideEvents
Mum Fest: On September 7 the CRRMH attended the inaugural Mum Fest event in Orange, where
RAMHP Coordinator Di Gill spoke about the importance of mothers looking after their own mental
health and wellbeing. A highlight was the rock-painting activity run in partnership with Orange
Rocks.
Muswellbrook Free Family Movie Night: With the support of an Aurizon Community Giving Grant,
RAMHP hosted a Family Movie Night at the Muswellbrook Racecourse on September 27. 190
people attended and were treated to a screening of ‘How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World’,
free popcorn and delicious meals provided by the Muswellbrook Lioness Club.
Communications cont.Compiled by Senior Development Officer Vanessa Delaney and Communications Coordinator Jocie Johnston
12 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Media
Media coverage of the CRRMH, RAMHP and key initiatives was
overwhelmingly positive in this quarter.
Our partnership with the NSW CWA on the ‘Start a sconversation’
campaign provided wide-spread media attention with RAMHP Program
Manager Tessa Caton being a spokesperson. Other topics were Mum
Fest, the launch of the Let’s Talk Podcast series 3, drought support
across NSW, the TheMHS Award for the Glove Box Guide, World
Suicide Prevention Day, RUOK? Day and the Orange Declaration.
This quarter the team sent out the following media releases:
September 24: Orange Declaration identifies ten solutions for action to
improve rural mental health outcomes
September 10: Working together to prevent suicide - 10 myths that need
to be dispelled
August 28: Glove Box Guide to Mental Health wins top Australasian
award in mental health
August 6: RAMHP appoints new Coordinator based in Mudgee
September 13: Verily helps Nyngan carers get and give support
September 13: Verily helps Molong carers get and give support
September 13: RAMHP hosts free movie night in Muswellbrook
August 6: RAMHP appoints new Coordinator based in Mudgee
August 6: RAMHP provides mental health support at AgQuip Field Days
August 6: Award winning podcast shines spotlight on homelessness and
other rural mental health issues
July 8: CRRMH partners with 'The Common Thread' to inspire
conversations about rural youth mental health
Events cont.
World Suicide Prevention Day: In the lead up to World
Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, the CRRMH
embarked on a social media campaign which promoted this
year’s theme “shining a light on suicide prevention” by
dispelling some common myths about suicide.
Each day for ten days a different common myth was addressed
to raise awareness and encourage conversation.
This culminated on World Suicide Prevention Day with the
CRRMH team
celebrating the day
with a special
morning tea and
further promoting the
campaign.
RUOK? Day: September 12 marked RUOK? Day, another
important day on the mental health calendar. The CRRMH
team celebrated with coffee and a muffin courtesy of the
University of Newcastle, while RAMHP Coordinator Phil
Worrad joined service providers with information and resources
in Orange.
For a full list of media activity please refer to Appendix 6
Online ConnectionsCompiled by Marketing Officer Ashleigh Middleton
The Orange Declaration
To complement the publication of The Orange Declaration on Rural
and Remote Mental Health in the Australian Journal of Rural Health,
a website landing page was created for the CRRMH website.
The Orange Declaration provides an opportunity to invite discussion
about how individuals and service providers can improve the mental
health of rural and remote residents through research, service
design, and delivery.
The content includes a supporting evidence document, blog post and
a link to endorse the declaration.
13 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Website Analytics 1 July – 30 September 2019
CRRMH RAMHP
8,551 website sessions (+17%) 4,782 website sessions (+21%)
Average website session 2:18 mins Average website session 2:26 mins
Top 5 pages
1. Homepage – 3,146 views
2. Downloadable Resources –
1,010 views
3. Programs & Projects: RAMHP –
770 views
4. Podcasts – 541 views
5. ARMHS – 400 views
Top 5 pages
1. Homepage – 2,999 views
2. Downloadable Resources – 783
views
3. Find a RAMHP Coordinator –
713 views
4. About Us: Meet the Team – 459
views
5. About Us – 437 views
Social media promotions
Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health Podcast – Series 3: Throughout
the quarter, the latest podcast series was promoted across our
social media channels resulting in over 3,000 listens.
World Suicide Prevention Day: A social media campaign to
dispel common myths was successfully rolled out. It reached
34,615 people and received 1,973 engagements.
Online Connections cont.Compiled by Marketing Officer Ashleigh Middleton
14 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Social Media Analytics 1 July – 30 September 2019
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
CRRMH 902 followers (+3%)
56 tweets posted
393 post engagements
(+26%)
2,502 page likes (+15%)
115 posts
14,033 post engagements
(+84%)
41 followers (+28%)
14 posts
69 post engagements
(+214%)
RAMHP 511 followers (+9%)
30 tweets posted
319 post engagements
(-3%)
1,905 page likes (+15%)
146 posts
13,629 post engagements
(-8%)
33 followers (+83%)
7 posts
29 post engagements
(+38%)
New website additions
8 July: CRRMH partners with ‘The Common Thread’ to inspire conversations about rural youth
mental health 97 views
18 July: RAMHP welcomes Cas Mastrone to the team 121 views
29 July: RAMHP welcomes Aimee Makeham to the team 236 views
19 August: Series 3 ‘Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health’ podcast out now 65 views
28 August: Glove Box Guide to Mental Health wins top Australasian award in mental health 96
views
10 September: Working together to prevent suicide – 10 myths that need to be dispelled 81 views
11 September: The Orange Declaration homepage 261 views
16 September: Drought, global warming or rural adversity? 79 views
30 September: The Orange Declaration- rethinking rural mental health 6 views
CRRMH Conversations
e-newsletter
E-newsletters continue to be sent
each month to subscribers with
the following results:
July: Mental health in the
media Open rate- 48% Click rate-
24%
August: Rethinking suicide in
rural Australia Open rate- 54%
Click rate 9%
September: Rethinking rural
mental health with the Orange
Declaration Open rate- 58% Click
rate- 46%
PartnershipsCompiled by Senior Development Officer Vanessa Delaney,
RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton and Research Assistant Lucy McEvoy
Industry partnerships
Being Here Films: During the quarter, the CRRMH became an official partner of The Common Thread, a six-part documentary series that aims to reduce stigma and spark open and positive discussions around youth mental health in Australia. The series was officially launched in early July and explores challenges faced by young Australians in a variety of settings, including rural areas, cities, coastal communities and tropical northern Australia. As part of this project, we were fortunate to have a custom video made profiling RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton, who talks about the challenges of mental health in the bush.
Barnardos Australia LINKER Service: In September the CRRMH was delighted to be part of the launch of the Barnardos Australia LINKER Service. The service provides emotional and practical after-hours telephone support to women accessing emergency short-term accommodation after leaving domestic violence. The LINKER Service has been successfully implemented in a wide range of communities throughout Western NSW and is changing the lives of women and children. As part of the launch, the CRRMH released findings on how LINKER supports victims, and how it can be improved to assist more women and children in crisis.
Country Women’s Association of NSW: The CRRMH and RAMHP were proud to partner with the Country Women's Association (CWA) of NSW in their “Start a Sconversation” campaign for this year’s CWA Awareness Week, launching in the first week of September. Several RAMHP Coordinators were also part of local CWA Awareness Week events.
Rural Doctors Network: The CRRMH and RAMHP have come on board as partners of the NSW Rural Doctors Network new Rural Health Pro digital platform, which was launched on September 18. This innovative project will keep healthcare professionals and organisations connected to keep our rural communities healthy.
15 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Partnerships cont.Compiled by Senior Development Officer Vanessa Delaney,
RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton and Research Assistant Lucy McEvoy
Community partnerships
Grainline Augers: Grainline Augers in Wagga Wagga donated $500 to the CRRMH in July. Frontline organisations such as this see first-hand the hardships of farming communities and we are pleased to see their selfless and generous support for their community.
Royal Agriculture Society: RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton was invited to present at the Royal Agricultural Society’s Ag Vision Expo in August. She presented on the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing of the agriculture workforce and the many positives about a career in rural mental health. Over 1,000 students from the city and the country attended the expo.
16 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Academic Partnerships
Swinburne University of Technology and Australian National University (ANU): In August,
CRRMH researchers met in Melbourne with researchers from Swinburne’s Social Research
Innovation Institute and ANU's Centre for Mental Health Research. The group met to discuss
upcoming and future collaborative work to improve rural mental health. This meeting follows on from
a collaborative meeting last year with a number of key researchers in the rural mental health
research space. The CRRMH are pleased to be collaborating with other groups, allowing research
teams to pool resources, knowledge and experiences in order to maximise their collective impact.
University of South Australia: CRRMH Research Fellow Dr Scott Fitzpatrick is working alongside
the University of South Australia, rural-based Suicide Prevention Networks and other organisations
to design community-based strategies for men in farming occupations. To ensure these strategies
are driven and supported by local communities, the project involves speaking to men in farming
occupations across the Riverina region who are willing to talk about their experiences of distress or
poor mental health.
Rural Adversity Mental Health
Program (RAMHP)Compiled by RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton
Train, Link and
Inform1 July – 30 September 2019
599 people linked
to care
3,705 participants
trained
215 community events
attended
18 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Program Updates
• Supporting communities affected by the intensifying drought remains a strong priority for RAMHP
Coordinators. Stress and Drought remain the two most common reasons our RAMHP Coordinators
are linking people to care; this has been consistent for the last 12 months.
• Many RAMHP Coordinators have been focusing on assisting communities to stay socially connected
during the drought, with community events attended by RAMHP Coordinators increasing by 60%
during the third quarter.
• RAMHP teamed up with our valuable partners, NSW Farmers and CWA to implement targeted
communication campaigns to assist those impacted by the drought to look after their mental wellbeing.
This included the creation of a ‘Sconversations’ card using the popular How Are You Going poster and
CWA scone recipe.
• Further collaboration with NSW Farmers occurred at their annual conference, where farmers were
quizzed on what they are doing to look after themselves and RAMHP Coordinator Camilla Kenny
joined a panel presentation on community resilience.
• Recognising the impact of the drought on young people continues with members of the RAMHP
Management team contributing to the planning of Unicef’s Youth Drought Summit.
• Lithgow based RAMHP Coordinator Sonia Cox and RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton
presented at the Australian Family Therapies Conference on how RAMHP supports the needs of rural
families.
Rural Adversity Mental Health
Program (RAMHP) cont.Compiled by RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton
Staff Updates
• The program farewelled Wagga based RAMHP
Coordinator Merilyn Limbrick. She is taking long service
leave and will return August 2020.
19 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
• A Men’s Advisory Group was established and the first meeting
held to gain insight and feedback on the development of our
men’s mental health website, to be titled you got this mate.
• Finally, in August RAMHP was awarded the most prestigious
Mental Health Services award in Australia & New Zealand, the
TheMHS Medal, for the Glove Box Guide to Mental Health.
Federal Minister for Health The Hon. Greg Hunt, MP presented
the award to RAMHP Program Manager Tessa Caton at the
TheMHS Conference in Brisbane.
Staff News & AchievementsCompiled by Senior Development Officer Vanessa Delaney
Staff Training
• In July Post Doctoral Research Fellow Dr Tonelle Handley attended training run by the Centre for Mental Health Research at ANU on coding mental health services and translating them into a mental health atlas format.
• In August CRRMH Librarian Paul Stanfield spent a week at the UON Callaghan campusattended training sessions on UON's research output system NURO.
• In September the CRRMH Communications team attended a Manning PR & Media Masterclass on LinkedIn and social media marketing.
New Staff
On July 30 we welcomed new RAMHP
Coordinator Aimee Makeham to the team
who will cover the Wagga Wagga region. "I
am looking forward to being part of a team
of movers and shakers whose aim is to
improve the lives of all people living in rural
and remote communities,” she said.
Awards
• On August 28 the Glove Box Guide to Mental
Health won the TheMHS Medal for Mental
Health. The award was presented at the
annual TheMHS conference by The Hon. Greg
Hunt. Winning this prestigious award
demonstrates the value and integrity of the
Glove Box Guide and the outstanding
contribution it has made towards supporting
rural communities.
• RAMHP Coordinator Jennie Keioskie was part
of a team awarded a Mental Health Matters
Rainbow Inclusion Award for their work
organising the Rainbow Waves festival in the
Bega Valley. The purpose of the festival was to
create an inclusive event for everyone to come
together in a safe space and show there is
support in the wider community regardless of
what sexual or gender issues a person may be
struggling with.
20 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Appendix 1: Research
• Research Fellow Dr Scott Fitzpatrick travelled to Wagga Wagga on July 3-4 to conduct 2 focus groups as part of data collection for the NSW
site of the ‘Designing suicide prevention for men in farming occupations’ project.
• Research Fellow Dr Scott Fitzpatrick was invited to give a guest lecture to Masters of Public Health students at The University of
Sydney on August 17 as part of a 2-day intensive for the unit Public Health: Critical Challenges. Dr Fitzpatrick’s lecture addressed key issues
relating to mental health as a public health issue.
• IFIC Australia launched its first webinar series in August. As part of the series, Research Lead Dr Hazel Dalton presented ‘Project
Integrate Framework Elements’. The webinar reflected on the use of the Project INTEGRATE framework within the context of a formative
evaluation of the Central Coast Integrated Care Program. Watch the webinar here.
• Research Lead Dr Hazel Dalton and Research Assistant Nic Powell presented the toolkit for community wellbeing in a workshop-style
presentation at The Mental Health Services Conference on August 28. Around 40 people attended and used Mentimeter to collect their
impressions of community wellbeing and their reflections of their own communities with most people recognising that social factors contribute
to wellbeing. They also heard a lot of stories from people with a lived experience and how community has helped them in their recovery.
• On September 9, Research Lead Dr Hazel Dalton spoke at the launch of the Barnardos Australia LINKER service, which provides both
emotional and practical after-hours telephone support to women who have accessed emergency short term accommodation as a result of
leaving domestic violence. Find out more, watch the documentary and read the report here.
• Associate Professor Nelly Oelke arrived at the Centre on September 17 on a Research Fellowship from the University British Columbia. Whilst at the Centre, she hopes to better understand the programs and initiatives we deliver. You can read Associate Professor Oelke’s blog here.
• Virtual Dementia Friendly Rural Communities – In July, Research Assistant Dr Kristina Gottschall conducted interviews with service
providers and carers in Molong. The VERILY team then returned to each of the communities in August and September to present preliminary
findings and get further community feedback. Now in the final stages, the project will wrap up in November 2019 with negotiations underway
for the VERILY app to go live to a national audience.
21 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Appendix 2: Proposals
Submitted Proposals Fitzpatrick, S. J., Brew, B., Perkins, D., Farmer, J. & Handley, T. Rethinking rural suicide: Accommodating
complexity in research, policy and practice. NHMRC Ideas Grant App 1189098, $287,796. Submitted May 1
2019.
VERILY consortium. National Dementia Support Program submitted by La Trobe University and led by Professor
Irene Blackberry. Awareness and Stigma Reduction Campaigns. $1,494,643.62. Submitted April 3 2019.
Unsuccessful Proposals Kypri, K., Hamed Hosseini, S. A., Buykx, P., Davies, K., Fitzpatrick, S. J., Paolini, S. & Senior, K. Transforming
youth mental health through Well-Living: Multi-disciplinary investigation of a diverse tertiary student population.
Rotary Mental Health Research Grant EOI.
22 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Appendix 3: Publications
Published Papers Kelly, B., Handley, T., Kissane, D., Vamos, M. & Attia, J. “An indelible mark” The response to participation in
euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide among doctors: a review of research findings. Palliative & Supportive
Care. DOI: 10.1017/S1478951519000518
Powell, N., Dalton, H. E, Perkins, D., Considine, R., Hughes, S., Osborne, S. & Buss, R. Our Healthy Clarence:
a community-driven wellbeing initiative. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Fitzpatrick, S. J., Brew, B. K., Read, D. M. Y., Inder, K. J., Hayes, A. & Perkins, D. Rethinking Suicide in Rural
Australia: A study Protocol for Examining and Applying Knowledge of the Social Determinants to Improve
Prevention in Non-Indigenous Populations. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2994.
Maddox, S., Read, D. M. Y., Powell, N., Caton, T., Dalton, H. & Perkins, D. Reorientation of the Rural
Adversity Mental Health Program: the value of a program logic model. Rural and Remote Health. 2019, 19, 5217.
DOI:10.22605/RRH5217.
Dalton H. E., Read, D. M. Y., Booth, A., Perkins, D., Goodwin, N., Hendry, A., Handley, T., Davies, K., Bishop,
M., Sheather-Reid, R., Bradfield, S., Lewis, P., Gazzard, T., Critchley, A. & Wilcox, S. Formative evaluation of
the Central Coast Integrated Care Program (CCICP), NSW Australia. International Journal of Integrated Care,
2019, 19(3), 15. DOI: 10.5334/ijic.4633.
Perkins, D., Farmer, J., Salvador-Carulla, L., Dalton, H. & Luscombe, G. The ORANGE DECLARATION on
Rural and Remote Mental Health. Australian Journal of Rural Health. 2019 Sep 12. DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12560.
Stanford, D., Ridoutt, L., Dalton, H. E., & Perkins, D. LINKER Service – Special Homelessness Service
Domestic Violence Response Enhancement for Western NSW – Evaluation Report. Centre for Rural and
Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Orange.
23 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Appendix 3: Publications cont.
Submitted Papers Peters, I., Handley, T., Oakley, K., Lutkin, S. & Perkins, D. Social Determinants of Psychological Wellbeing
for Children and Adolescents in Rural NSW. Submitted to BMC Public Health June 24 2019.
Davies, K., Read, D., Booth, A., Turner, N., Gottschall, K., & Perkins, D. Connecting with social and
emotional wellbeing in rural Australia: An evaluation of the ‘We Yarn’, Aboriginal gatekeeper suicide prevention
workshop, Australian Indigenous Health Bulletin, submitted: February 22 2019.
Berg, E., Wilhlem, K. & Handley, T. Is there an association between dietary habits and recurrent deliberate self-
harm? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, submitted Februrary 3 2019.
23 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Appendix 4: Conferences
Presented Perkins, D. The Orange Declaration. The International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership Conference. Boulder Colorado
and Washington DC. 10 September 2019.
Dalton, H.E. and Powell, N. 60min Workshop - “A collaborative approach to community wellbeing”. The Mental Health Services
Conference, 27-30 August, Brisbane.
Accepted Perkins, D. The Orange Declaration. Australian Rural & Remote Health Symposium, 28-30 October 2019, Adelaide.
Dalton, H.E., Wilson, J., Read, D.M.Y., Booth, A., Day, J., Hayes, A., Handley, T. Development and enhancement of
pathways created to Health and Social Care for clients in areas of family disadvantage in targeted Primary Schools in Sydney,
Australia. 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Integrated Care, 11-13 November 2019, Melbourne.
Cosgrave, C., Dalton, H.E. and Bryant, R. Empowering and Engaging People and Communities - Volunteering and the role
of the local community. 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Integrated Care, 11-13 November 2019, Melbourne.
24 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Appendix 5: PhD Students
Emma Austin continues to work towards the submission of her fourth results chapter.
Sophun Moch continues to analyse qualitative data for a descriptive study on suicide deaths in
Tasmanian rural communities from 2010-2016 as part of his PhD thesis.
25 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
JULY
02.07.2019 Bega District News Dairy research symposium in
Bega to cover industry’s latest
developments
RAMHP Coordinator Jen
Keioskie
www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/6253299/dairy-
research-symposium-in-bega-to-cover-industrys-latest-
developments/
02.07.2019 South Coast Register Shoalhaven G’Day Mate mens
get together barbeque Wed
July 3
RAMHP Coordinator Alison
Tye
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/6253596/next-
shoalhaven-gday-mate-mens-get-together-barbecue-july-
3/
03.07.2019 Inverell Times Gwymac to host drought-
focused workshop
RAMHP mentioned www.inverelltimes.com.au/story/6254355/gwymac-to-host-
drought-focused-workshops/
03.07.2019 The Northern Daily Leader Drought mental wellness
forum at Farrer
RAMHP Coordinator Sarah
Green
www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/6252725/forum-to-
keep-mental-health-issues-front-of-mind-in-drought/
05.07.2019 Rural and Remote Health Journal: Reorientation of the
Rural Adversity Mental Health
Program: the value of a
program logic model
Authors: Sarah Maddox,
Donna MY Read, Nicholas
Powell, Tessa Caton, Hazel
Dalton, David Perkins
www.rrh.org.au/journal/early_abstract/5217
07.07.2019 The Daily Examiner, The Daily
Mercury, South Burnett Times,
The Gympie News, Warwick
Daily News, Whitsunday Times,
Sunshine Coast Daily, The
Chronicle, The Morning
Bulletin, The Coffs Harbour
Advocate, Tweed Daily News,
Gladstone Observer, Fraser
Coast Chronicle, The
Queensland Times, News Mail,
Norther Star
Young Australians open up
about mental health - The
Common Thread
CRRMH On file
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
JULY
08.07.2019 About Regional Science supporting dairy
farmers, Bega symposium
speaks to the future
RAMHP Coordinator Jen
Keioskie
https://aboutregional.com.au/science-supporting-dairy-
farmers-bega-symposium-speaks-to-the-future/
11.07.2019 ABC South East Radio Women in Dairy breakfast RAMHP Coordinator Jen
Keioskie
No link
12.07.2019 Inside Film The Common Thread
partnership
CRRMH www.if.com.au/darius-devas-shines-a-spotlight-on-youth-
mental-health-in-the-common-thread/
15.07.2019 ABC Rural (Sally Bryant) online Drought and Mudgee small
field days
RAMHP Coordinator Di Gill No link
17.07.2019 ABC News Breakfast (National
TV)
Drought and mental health RAMHP Coordinator Camilla
Kelly
No link
18.07.2019 Border News, Southern Cross,
The Daily Advertiser
Kids Helpline Report Professor David Perkins Link to article on website
July Updates from the Australian
Institute of Disaster Resilience
Newsletter
Let’s Talk rural mental health
podcasts
CRRMH website https://us13.campaign-
archive.com/?e=&u=6583356525a52a76054255f13&id=0b
57066139
24.07.2019 The Australian Mental Health and Q Fever RAMHP Program Manager
Tessa Caton
https://www.crrmh.com.au/content/uploads/Media-
Article_Farmers-in-drought-stricken-areas-are-dying-from-
Q-fever-a-rural-leader-has-claimed_The-Australian_24-
July-2019.pdf
24.07.2019 Yass Tribune Caring for our carers RAMHP Coordinator Judy
Carmody
www.crrmh.com.au/content/uploads/Media-Article_Yass-
Tribune_Caring-for-our-carers_July-2019.pdf
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
JULY
25.07.2019 NBN News Professionals shining a light
on mental health as drought
worsens
RAMHP Coordinator Kate
Arndell
www.nbnnews.com.au/2019/07/25/professionals-shining-
a-light-on-mental-health-as-drought-worsens/
30.07.2019 Shepparton News NSW Farmers Conference RAMHP mentioned www.sheppnews.com.au/rural-
news/2019/07/30/705477/diverse-agenda
30.07.2019 The Daily Examiner Clarence Valley
Homelessness put in the
spotlight
RAMHP mentioned www.crrmh.com.au/content/uploads/Article-Clarence-
Valley-homelessness-put-in-the-spotlight_July-
2019.docx.pdf
30.07.2019 In The Loop- UON Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health
Podcast
CRRMH Director Professor
David Perkins
No link
30.07.2019 ABC News Breakfast (National
TV)
Drought and mental health RAMHP Coordinator Camilla
Kelly
No link
30.07.2019 Shepparton News, The Corowa
Free Press, Cobran Courier,
Seymour Telegraph, Tatua
Guardian, The McIvor Times,
Campaspe News, Kyabram
Free Press, Southern Riverina
News, Yarrowonga Chronicle,
Deniliquin Pastoral Times,
Country News, Benalla Ensign,
Riverina Herald
Diverse Agenda – NSW
Farmers
RAMHP mentioned www.sheppnews.com.au/rural-
news/2019/07/30/705477/diverse-agenda
31.07.2019 Dubbo Photo News Western RSSN Drought
Support
RAMHP Coordinator Camilla
Kenny
No link
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
AUGUST
05.08.2019 Hit and Triple M- Southern
Cross Austereo
Rural mental health in
podcast’s spotlight
RAMHP Program Manager
Tessa Caton
No link
05.08.2019 Town & Country Magazine Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health
Podcast
RAMHP Program Manager
Tessa Caton
www.townandcountrymagazine.com.au/story/6310936/rur
al-mental-health-in-podcasts-spotlight/
05.08.2019 Radio 2NUR Newcastle Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health
Podcast
RAMHP Program Manager
Tessa Caton
No link
05.08.2019 Crookwell Gazette Mission Australia and Gunning
District Association host
school holiday activity
RAMHP mentioned www.crookwellgazette.com.au/story/6299295/community-
rallies-to-support-and-enrich-lives-of-the-district-youth/
06.08.2019 Rebel FM Rocks – QLD Let’s talk rural mental health
podcast
RAMHP Program Manager
Tessa Caton
On file
09.08.2019 ABC Sydney Radio (Focus) Drought and support available RAMHP Coordinator Camilla
Kenny
www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/focus/focus/11380
154
14.08.2019 Mudgee Guardian A welcome boost for Mudgee
region mental health services
RAMHP Program Manager
Tessa Caton
www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/6323075/a-welcome-
boost-for-mudgee-region-mental-health-services/
19.08.2019 Hunter Valley News, 2NM AM Hunter Local Land Services
and Hunter News England
Health joining forces to help
producers and their families
RAMHP mentioned www.huntervalleynews.net.au/story/6336268/taking-stock-
of-the-drought/
20.08.2019 The Northern Daily Leader RAMHP at AgQuip RAMHP Coordinator Letitia
Cross
No link
22.08.2019 Orange City Life Mums looking forward to
having a beautiful night
together – Mum Fest
RAMHP and CRRMH
mentioned
www.orangecitylife.com.au/home/2019/8/22/mums-
looking-forward-to-having-a-beautiful-night-together
23.08.2019 The Land Farmers urged to look out for
drought support and
themselves
RAMHP Coordinator Letitia
Cross
www.theland.com.au/story/6341592/farmers-urged-to-
look-out-for-drought-support-and-themselves/
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
AUGUST
23.08.2019 Ag Trader Conference aims to empower
women
RAMHP mentioned www.agtrader.com.au/news/livestock-cattle/bale-up-nsw-
women-in-dairy-conference-aims-to-empower-women
24.08.2019 Great Lakes Advocate,
Manning River Times,
Wingham Chronicle, Mirage News
Taking emotional stock during
the drought
RAMHP mentioned www.greatlakesadvocate.com.au/story/6338388/taking-
emotional-stock-during-the-drought/
24.08.2019 The Land Bale Up NSW Women in Dairy
conference aims to empower
women
RAMHP mentioned www.theland.com.au/story/6346108/conference-aims-to-
empower-women/
25.08.2019 Crookwell Gazette Coping with stress: ‘You
can’t manage the unknown’
RAMHP Coordinator
Judy Carmody
www.crookwellgazette.com.au/story/6341245/coping-with-
stress-you-cant-manage-the-unknown/
26.08.2019 Crookwell Gazette, Yass Tribune
Local Leaders | Mental Health:
What to do when you have no
home
RAMHP Coordinator
Judy Carmody
www.crookwellgazette.com.au/story/6349047/what-to-do-
when-you-have-no-home/
26.08.2019 Tenterfield Star Start a 'Sconversation' about
women's mental health
RAMHP Manager
Tessa Caton
https://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/story/6348248/start-a-
sconversation-about-womens-mental-health/
26.08.2019 Lithgow Mercury Tarana to host community
breakfast to welcome first
Bathurst Bullet service
RAMHP Coordinator Sonia
Cox
www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/6344788/tarana-to-
host-community-breakfast-to-welcome-first-bathurst-bullet-
service/
26.08.2019 Inverell Times, The Northern
Daily Leader
Free community outreach
sessions for rural areas
CRRMH mentioned www.inverelltimes.com.au/story/6349102/free-community-
outreach-sessions-for-rural-areas/
26.08.2019 Tenterfield Star, The Young
Witness
Start a Sconversation about
Women’s mental health
RAMHP Program Manager
Tessa Caton
www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/story/6348248/start-a-
sconversation-about-womens-mental-health/
26.08.2019 The Northern Daily Leader This one-stop-shop will be a
mine of information for rural
and regional residents
RAMHP mentioned www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/6348988/outreach-
service-helps-residents-with-everything-from-taxation-to-
drought-assistance/
27.08.2019 The Land Community organisation hosts
climate uncertainty forum
RAMHP Coordinators Aimee
and Faith Rogers
mentioned
www.theland.com.au/story/6348292/planning-for-climate-
uncertainty-at-boorowa/#slide=7
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
AUGUST
27.08.2019 The Land Video: We're off and running
for mental health campaign
launched atAgQuip
RAMHP Coordinator Letitia
Cross
www.farmweekly.com.au/story/6339570/off-and-running-
for-good-mental-health-at-agquip/
27.08.2019 The Young Witness CWA call on locals to start a
'Sconversation' for mental
health awareness
RAMHP Manager
Tessa Caton
www.youngwitness.com.au/story/6348695/starting-a-
sconversation/?src=rss
27.08.2019 Pro Bono Australia Doco of the month: The
Common Thread
CRRMH mentioned https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2019/08/doco-of-
the-month-the-common-thread/
28.08.2019 The Land Glove Box Guide to Mental
Health wins top Australasian
award in mental health
RAMHP Program Manager
Tessa Catonwith Guide
Editor Robyn Ainsworth
www.theland.com.au/story/6352759/mental-health-guide-
wins-major-medal/
29.08.2019 The Daily Liberal Dubbo RSL Theatrette to host
free Women's Health Week
forum on Tuesday
RAMHP Coordinator Camilla
Kenny
www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/6354275/menopause-all-
your-questions-answered-at-free-forum-in-dubbo/
29.08.2019 The Daily Advertiser 'New generation' of CWA
members ready to lend some
support
RAMHP Manager
Tessa Caton
No link
29.08.2019 The Mudgee Guardian A special Monday History Talk
leads the way in September
RAMHP mentioned www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/6352460/a-special-
monday-history-talk-leads-the-way-in-september/
30.08.2019 Goulburn Post 'Sconversation' about
women's mental health in
Goulburn
RAMHP mentioned www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/6343577/its-time-to-start-
sconversation-about-womens-mental-health/
30.08.2019 Dungog Chronicle Hunter Local Land Services
urge farmers to seek support
if needed
RAMHP mentioned www.dungogchronicle.com.au/story/6358606/taking-stock-
of-mental-health/
SEPTEMBER
02.09.2019 Wauchope Gazette CWA Wauchope branch
support mental health
awareness
RAMHP mentioned www.wauchopegazette.com.au/story/6361829/crafts-and-
conversation-about-mental-health-awareness/
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
SEPTEMBER
03.09.2019 National Farmers Federation
Newsletter
Drought and Mental Health RAMHP Coordinator Letitia
Cross
No link
04.09.2019 The Young Witness Carpe Diem to be performed
in Wombat
RAMHP mentioned www.youngwitness.com.au/story/6355341/carpe-diem-in-
wombat/
05.09.2019 The Guyra Argus, The
Nyngan Observer
Rotary to host first 'release
valve' project in Nyngan this
month
RAMHP mentioned www.nynganobserver.com.au/story/6368920/rotary-help-
release-the-pressure-in-the-western-plains/
05.09.2019 The Crookwell Gazette Government agencies provide
support to Upper Lachlan
residents
RAMHP mentioned www.crookwellgazette.com.au/story/6358084/support-for-
those-affected-by-the-upper-lachlan-bridge-load-limits/
05.09.2019 Walcha News What's the Goss || 'Old boys'
cop a bit of stick
RAMHP mentioned www.walchanewsonline.com.au/story/6367075/old-boys-
cop-a-bit-of-stick/?cs=1038
06.09.2019 Hunter Valley News Singleton CWA branch urges
community to Start a
Sconversation about women's
mental health
RAMHP Manager Tessa
Caton
www.huntervalleynews.net.au/story/6371367/cwas-recipe-
for-success/
09.09.2019 2NUR News (pre-record) World Suicide Prevention Day
(WSPD) - CRRMH focus
CRRMH Research Leader
Hazel Dalton
No link
09.09.2019 Glen Innes Examiner GLENRAC fit farmer event to
help agricultural battle with
drought
RAMHP Coordinator Matt
Milne mentioned
www.gleninnesexaminer.com.au/story/6375587/fit-
farmers-up-for-fierce-fight-falconer/
09.09.2019 The Inverell Times Delungra Community Drought
Afternoon
RAMHP Coordinator Matt
Milne mentioned
www.inverelltimes.com.au/story/6373981/delungra-
community-drought-afternoon-photos/?cs=2687#slide=2
09.09.2019 Triple M- WA (pre-record) World Suicide Prevention Day
(WSPD) - CRRMH focus
CRRMH Research Leader
Hazel Dalton
No link
09.09.2019 Nine News Central West Barnardos LINKER launch CRRMH Research Leader
Hazel Dalton
https://www.facebook.com/9NewsCentralWest/videos/820
428588353067/?v=820428588353067
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
SEPTEMBER
10.09.2019 TV Prime News Women’s Wellbeing RAMHP Coordinator Di Gill No link
10.09.2019 ABC Hunter New England
(live)
World Suicide Prevention Day
(WSPD) - CRRMH focus
CRRMH Research Leader
Hazel Dalton
No link
10.09.2019 Bathurst Broadcasters (live) World Suicide Prevention Day
(WSPD) - CRRMH focus
CRRMH Research Leader
Hazel Dalton
MP3 file online
10.09.2019 Crookwell Gazette, Yass
Tribune
World Suicide Prevention Day
(WSPD) - CRRMH focus
CRRMH Director Professor
Perkins
www.crookwellgazette.com.au/story/6371396/dispelling-
five-common-myths-about-suicide-this-world-suicide-
prevention-day/
10.09.2019 Central Western Daily Domestic violence victims
back unique LINKER call
service
CRRMH Research Leader
Hazel Dalton
www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/6374074/unique-
call-service-helps-domestic-violence-victims-regain-their-
self-worth/
11.09.2019 South Coast Register Nowra CWA has an important
Sconeversation
CRRMH Coordinator Alison
Tye
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/6379374/nowra-
cwa-has-an-important-sconversation/?cs=222
13.09.2019 Mirage News, Bega District
News, Narooma News, Town
and Country Mag, Magnet,
Bay Post, Bombala Times,
Mirage News
Tough decisions ahead for
Tablelands producers
RAMHP mentioned https://www.miragenews.com/tough-decisions-ahead-for-
tablelands-producers/
17.09.2019 The Walcha News, The
Northern Daily Leader
Hunter New England Central
Coast Primary Health Network
host a free dinner at the ex-
services club
RAMHP Coordinator Kate
Arndell
https://www.walchanewsonline.com.au/story/6390602/gett
ing-through-the-big-dry-together-in-walcha/
19.09.2019 Lithgow Mercury Aboriginal, Torres Strait
Islander and Australian flags
raised at Notre Dame's
Lithgow Clinical School
RAMHP Coordinator Sonia
Cox
https://www.lithgowmercury.com.au/story/6393609/flag-
raising-ceremony-acknowledges-land-notre-dame-
campus-sits-on/
19.09.2019 The Land Support for farmers RAMHP Coordinator Faith
Rogers
No link
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
SEPTEMBER
20.09.2019 Parkes Champion Post,
Forbes Advocate
Looking at Landcare|
Speakers invited to provide
some advice to ease some
pressures in the Spring and
Summer seasons ahead
RAMHP Coordinator Di Gill www.parkeschampionpost.com.au/story/6395509/a-
fantastic-line-up-for-new-season/
20.09.2019 ABC North Coast (The
Country Hour)
Women On The Land
preparedness sessions
RAMHP Coordinator Sam
Osborne
No link
23.09.2019 Moree Champion Young Aggies host Annual
Gold Rush Ball at Mallawa
RAMHP Coordinator Letitia
Cross guest speaker
https://www.moreechampion.com.au/story/6400207/young
-aggies-host-annual-gold-rush-ball/
24.09.2019 ABC Country Hour (Michael
Condon)
The Orange Declaration CRRMH Director Professor
Perkins
www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/nsw-country-hour/rural-
mental-health-plan/11542940
24.09.2019 ABC Central West – live
interview
The Orange Declaration CRRMH Director Professor
Perkins
No link
24.09.2019 ABC North West WA – pre-
record. Broadcast on the 25
September
The Orange Declaration CRRMH Director Professor
Perkins
No link
24.09.2019 Yass Tribune, Braidwood
Times
Reach out to someone RAMHP Coordinator Judy
Carmody
www.yasstribune.com.au/story/6402825/when-a-loved-
one-is-in-the-worst-way/
24.09.2019 Bathurst Western Advocate The Orange Declaration CRRMH Director Professor
Perkins
No link
25.09.2019 Bellingen Shire Courier Sun Restoring homes and fences
after the Bees Nest fire
RAMHP mentioned https://www.bellingencourier.com.au/story/6406783/restori
ng-homes-and-fences-after-the-bees-nest-fire/
26.09.2019 The Mudgee Guardian What's on : Creative minds
family fun day and Wellbeing
and You
RAMHP mentioned https://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/6407321/fabul
ous-families-together/
Appendix 6: Media Activity
26 | Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Quarterly Report: July – September 2019
Date Media Type Topic Spokesperson Link
SEPTEMBER
28.09.2019 The Central Western Daily The Orange Declaration CRRMH Director Professor
Perkins
https://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/6409646/me
ntal-health-experts-recognise-patient-support-falls-short-
in-regional-areas/
29.09.2019 South Coast Register What’s On|Everyone
welcomes at 2019 Prosperity
in the Park – GBG Launch
RAMHP Coordinator Alison
Tye
https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/6387613/glo
ve-box-guide-to-mental-health-set-for-launch-at-
prosperity-in-the-park/
September Publising ByChelle (REX
Mag – Oct/ Nov edition out
now)
Lifesavers without water Interview with RAMHP
Coordinator Di Gill
https://www.publishingbychelle.com/lifesavers-without-
water
30.09.2019 Wilcannia News Glove Box Guide to Mental
Health Launch
RAMHP Coordinator Marie
Kelly
No link
September Our Healthy Clarence October –mental health month Our Healthy Clarence
Committee including
RAMHP Coordinator Sam
Osborne
Article on file
RAMHP QUARTERLY UPDATEJULY – SEPTEMBER 2019
RAMHP Quarterly Update Report, July – September 2019
RAMHP Quarterly Update Report: July – September 2019
This report is intended to provide an update for our key stakeholders on the work being undertaken by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program
(RAMHP). It is intended that this report will be emailed to key stakeholders and also available on the Program’s website and that of the Centre for
Rural and Remote Mental Health. Please email comments or questions to: [email protected].
Table of Contents
Section Page Number
General RAMHP Program Updates 3
Data Considerations 16
RAMHP Updates by Program Component 17
LINK 17
TRAIN 23
INFORM 25
| 2
General RAMHP Program Updates
The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program – Tessa Caton
RAMHP Program Updates
• Supporting communities affected by the intensifying drought
remains a strong priority for RAMHP Coordinators. Stress and
Drought remain the 2 most common reasons our RAMHP
Coordinators are linking people to care, this has been consistent for
the last 12 months
• Many RAMHP Coordinators have been focusing on assisting
communities to stay socially connected during the drought a, with
community events attended by RAMHP Coordinators increasing by
60% during Q3
• RAMHP teamed up with our valuable partners, NSW Farmers and
CWA to implement targeted communication campaigns to assist
those impacted by the drought to look after their mental wellbeing.
This included the creation of a ‘Sconversation’s’ card using the
popular How Are You Going Poster and CWA scone recipe
• Further collaboration with NSW Farmers occurred at their annual
conference, where farmers were quizzed on what they are doing to
look after themselves and Camilla Kenny joined a panel presentation
on community resilience
• Recognising the impact of the drought on young people continues
with members of the RAMHP Management team contributing to the
planning of Unicef’s Youth Drought Summit
• Lithgow based RAMHP Coordinator, Sonia Cox & Program
Manager, Tessa Caton presented at the Australian Family Therapies
Conference on how RAMHP supports the needs of rural families
• A Men’s Advisory Group was established and the first meeting held
to gain insight and feedback on the development of our men’s mental
health website, to be titled you got this mate
• Finally, in August the RAMHP Program was awarded the most
prestigious Mental Health Services award in Australia & New
Zealand, the TheMHS Medal, for the Glove Box Guide to Mental
Health. The Hon. Greg Hunt, MP, Federal Minister for Health
presented the award to RAMHP Program Manager at TheMHS
Conference in Brisbane.
People Updates
• The program farewelled Wagga based RAMHP Coordinator, Merilyn
Limbrick. She is taking long service leave and will return August
2020.
Report 3 Highlights
• 599 People Linked to Care
between Jul – Sept 2019
• 134 Training Courses were
delivered to 3,705 participants
between Jul – Sept 2019
• 215 Community Events were
attended by RAMHP Coordinators
between Jul – Sept 2019
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 3
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Communication Highlights– Jocelyn Johnston and
Lauren Dunkley
This quarter saw some exciting developments and partnerships. As well
as producing some new video resources the team launched a third
series of the ‘Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health’ podcast. We also
partnered with Country Women’s Association (CWA) on their
“Sconversations” campaign which was very positively received.
One of the main aspects of the campaign was handing out a
CWA scone recipe card with our How Are You Going? poster on the
other side. The other successful partnership was with a production
company called 'Being Here' who produced a 6-part documentary series
on youth mental health.
Let's Talk Rural Mental Health – Podcast -Series 3
The team was delighted to work with journalist and producer Kia
Handley to produce a third series of the award winning Let's Talk Rural
Mental Health podcast.
The links to each podcast episode in series 3 are as follows:
Episode 1 – Carer’s Mental Health
Episode 2 – First responder wellbeing
Episode 3 – Low prevalence mental illnesses
Episode 4 - Alcohol and Other Drugs
Episode 5 – Masculinity and Mental Health
Episode 6 - Homelessness
Lived Experience Videos
Lived Experience videos: During August, RAMHP filmed three lived
experience videos with the production team from Nick Wood Creative.
The videos will be used in RAMHP training programs and will also
feature on the upcoming RAMHP men’s mental health website.
Two of the videos were filmed in and around Orange, while the third was
filmed in Broken Hill. The videos will be launched in November.
RAMHP eNewslettersRAMHP released one eNewsletters during this period.
The August/September edition, 'Let's Talk' about suicide prevention was
delivered to 1131 recipients and had a 40.5% open rate. This edition
focused on tools and resources community could access to help prevent
suicide and the Conversations Matter resource was the most clicked
link. Click here to view the August/September eNewsletter.
Website
During this quarter the RAMHP website received 4,782 website
sessions (+21.59%) The average website session was 2:26 mins.
The top 5 pages were as follows:
1. Homepage – 2,999 views
2. Downloadable Resources – 783 views
3 Find a RAMHP Coordinator – 713views
4. About Us: Meet the Team – 459 views
5. About Us – 437 views
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 4
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Communication Highlights– Jocelyn Johnston and
Lauren Dunkley
The Common Thread project – During this quarter, the CRRMH
became an official partner with The Common Thread a six -part web
digital series produced by Darius Davas and his production team “Being
Here” The powerful series aims to reduce stigma and spark an open and positive discussion around youth mental health in Australia. The series explores challenges faced by young Australians in a variety of settings, including rural areas, cities, coastal communities and tropical northern Australia, and features a diversity of experiences including Indigenous Australians, refugees, farmers, white-collar workers and members of the LGBTIQ community. You can click on each episode below.
The Common Thread – Intro
The Common Thread – Coastal
The Common Thread – Country
The Common Thread – Outback
The Common Thread – City
The Common Thread – Top End
As part of this partnership we also received an exclusive interview with
RAMHP Manager Tessa Caton which you can watch here: here.
Events
RUOK? and World Suicide Prevention Day Planning day
This quarter Communications Coordinators Lauren Dunkley and Jocie
Johnston attended a planning day to discuss planning for this year’s
World Suicide Prevention Day and RUOK? Day. The meeting was
hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia, and communications and media
representatives from across the mental health sector provided an
update on key initiatives and discussed ways of working together.
.
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 4
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Communication Highlights– Jocelyn Johnston and
Lauren Dunkley
RUOK? Day
RAMHP Coordinator Phil Worrad attended a community event with other
local service provides in the Orange community on RUOK? Day to
provide information to the community and share the RUOK? Day
message. Back at the Centre the CRRMH team was treated to a muffin
and cuppa by the University of Newcastle.
Muswellbrook Free Outdoor Family Movie Night
Sarah Green and Lauren Dunkley, with the support of an Aurizon
Community Giving Grant, hosted an outdoor movie night on 27
August at the Muswellbrook Raceclub. The purpose of the night
was to give families in Muswellbrook and surrounding drought-
affected communities with a free night out. The movie, meals,
popcorn and magician were all provided free to the audience. 190
adults and children attended the event and enjoyed the screening
of How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World.
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 6
General RAMHP Program Updates
Media Highlights
Media coverage of RAMHP, the CRRMH and key initiatives was very
positive in Q3. Our partnership with CWA on the ‘Sconeversations’
campaign provided wide spread media attention with RAMHP Manager
Tessa Caton being a spokesperson. Other topics were the MumsFest in
Orange, the launch of the Let’s Talk Podcast series, drought support
across NSW, the TheMHS Award for the Glove Box Guide, World
Suicide Prevention Day, RUOK? Day and the Orange Declaration.
This quarter the team sent out the following media releases:
Orange Declaration identifies ten solutions for action to improve rural
mental health outcomes
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Working together to prevent suicide - 10 myths that need to be
dispelled
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Glove Box Guide to Mental Health wins top Australasian award in
mental health
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
RAMHP appoints new Coordinator based in Mudgee
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Verily helps Nyngan carers get and give support
Friday, September 13, 2019
Verily helps Molong carers get and give support
Friday, September 13, 2019
RAMHP hosts free movie night in Muswellbrook
Friday, September 13, 2019
RAMHP appoints new Coordinator based in Mudgee
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
RAMHP provides mental health support at AgQuip Field Days
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Award winning podcast shines spotlight on homelessness and other
rural mental health issues
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
CRRMH partners with 'The Common Thread' to inspire conversations
about rural youth mental health
Monday, July 8, 2019
The team also worked with RAMHP Coordinator Judy Carmody to
develop content for a regular monthly column in the Yass Tribune. The
following three issues were published in July, August and September.
• July – Caring for our carers
• August – Looking after our homeless
• September – Talking to someone about suicide
Some examples of key media activity are presented in Table 1 on the
following page. Please note this is a sample only. The full list for July –
September can be seen in Appendix A of the CRRMH Quarterly
Report.
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 7
General RAMHP Program Updates
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
Date Media
Outlet
Topic Spokesperson Link
2.07.2019 South Coast Register Shoalhaven G’Day Mate
men’s get together
RAMHP Coordinator Alison
Tye
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/6
253596/next-shoalhaven-gday-mate-
mens-get-together-barbecue-july-3/
3.07.2019 Northern Daily Leader Drought mental wellness
forum at Farrer
RAMHP Coordinator Sarah
Green
www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/6252725/forum-to-keep-mental-health-issues-front-of-mind-in-drought/
5.07.2019 Rural and Remote Health Journal: Reorientation of the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program: the value of a program logic model
Authors of the paper www.rrh.org.au/journal/early_abstract/5217
11.07.2019 ABC South East Radio Women in Dairy Breakfast RAMHP Coordinator Jennie
Keioskie
No link
15.07.2019 ABC Rural Radio Drought and Mudgee small
field days
RAMHP Coordinator Di Gill No link
17.07.2019 ABC Breakfast TV
(National)
Drought and mental health RAMHP Coordinator Camila
Kenny
No Link
| 8
Table 1: Overview of Media Interactions (note this is a sample only)
General RAMHP Program Updates
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
Date Media
Outlet
Topic Spokesperson Link
24.07.2019 The Australian Mental Health and Q Fever RAMHP
Manager Tessa
Caton
https://www.crrmh.com.au/content/uploads/Media-Article_Farmers-in-drought-stricken-areas-are-dying-from-Q-fever-a-rural-leader-has-claimed_The-Australian_24-July-2019.pdf
25.07.2019 NBN News Professionals shining a light on
mental health as drought
worsens
RAMHP
Coordinator
Kate Arndell
www.nbnnews.com.au/2019/07/25/professionals-shining-a-light-on-mental-health-as-drought-worsens/
5.08.2019 Town and Country
Magazine
New Lets Talk Podcast RAMHP
Manager Tessa
Caton
www.townandcountrymagazine.com.au/story/6310936/rural-mental-health-in-podcasts-spotlight/
9.08.2019 ABC Sydney Radio
(Focus)
Drought and support available RAMHP
Coordinator
Camilla Kenny
www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/focus/focus/11380154
14.08.2019 The Mudgee Guardian New RAMHP Coordinator in
Mudgee
RAMHP
Coordinator
Cassie
Mastrone
www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/6323075/a-welcome-boost-for-mudgee-region-mental-health-services/
20.08.2019 Northern Daily Leader RAMHP at Ag Quip RAMHP
Coordinator
Letitia Cross
On file
| 9
General RAMHP Program Updates
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
Date Media
Outlet
Topic Spokesperson Link
22.08.2019 Orange City Life Mums Fest RAMHP and Di Gill mentioned
www.orangecitylife.com.au/home/2019/8/22/mu
ms-looking-forward-to-having-a-beautiful-night-
together
25.08.2019 Crookwell Gazette Coping with stress: ‘You
Can’t manage the
unknown’
RAMHP Coordinator
Judy Carmody
www.crookwellgazette.com.au/story/6341245/c
oping-with-stress-you-cant-manage-the-
unknown/
26.08.2019 Tenterfield Star Start a ‘Sconeversation
about women’s mental
health
RAMHP Manager
Tessa Caton
https://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/story/63482
48/start-a-sconversation-about-womens-
mental-health/
27.08.2019 The Land Video: We’re off and
running for mental health
campaign launched at
AgQuip
RAMHP Coordinator
Letitia Cross
www.farmweekly.com.au/story/6339570/off-
and-running-for-good-mental-health-at-agquip/
9.09.2019 Glen Innes Examiner GLENRAC fit farmer event
to help agricultural battle
with drought
RAMHP Coordinator
Matt Milne
www.gleninnesexaminer.com.au/story/6375587
/fit-farmers-up-for-fierce-fight-falconer/
September REX Inflight Magazine Lifesavours without water Story on RAMHP
Coordinator Di Gill
https://www.publishingbychelle.com/lifesavers-
without-water
| 10
General RAMHP Program Updates
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 9
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Social Media – Lauren Dunkley
The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for
RAMHP’s Facebook page.
Table 2: Overview of RAMHP’s Facebook Page Statistics, Jul. –
Sept. 2019
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
Statistic Impact
244 new likes were achieved during this period, bringing the total
number of likes to 1,661
• Number of likes increased by 14.7%
Post Publishing this quarter was 146 • This quarter featured posts on the rebranding of the How
Are You Going? Poster, TheMHS Award win, and RAMHPs
attendance at the NSW Farmers Annual Conference.
Engagement with posts:
− Reactions 4244
− Comments 421
− Shares 646
− Link Clicks 431
• Total engagements were down by 7.9%
• Posts that attracted high engagement included 'History of
the Wiradjuri' posted during NAIDOC week, a video
interview from program manager Tessa Caton, and a video
of Kate Arndell's presentation to the NSW Farmers Annual
Conference.
| 12
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Social Media – Lauren Dunkley
The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for
RAMHP’s Twitter page.
Table 3: Overview of RAMHP’s Twitter Statistics, Jul - Sept. 2019
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
Statistic Impact
42 (+9%) new followers were achieved during this period, bringing
the total number to 511
• RAMHP’s Twitter audience continues to increase
Post Publishing this quarter was 30 during this period • Publishing frequency increased by 150% this quarter
30 Tweets during this period:
− @mentions 68
− Replies 4
− Retweets 40
− Tweet Likes 82
− Retweet with comment 8
• Engagement has decreased by 4.8% this quarter.
| 13
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Social Media – Lauren Dunkley
The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for
RAMHP’s Instagram page.
Table 4: Overview of RAMHP’s Instagram Statistics, Jul - Sept. 2019
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
Statistic Impact
105 new followers (+59.3%) were achieved during this period,
bringing the total to 282.
• RAMHP’s reach on social media continues to grow
Post Publishing this quarter was 26 during this period • Publishing frequency has been reliably consistent
throughout the period for the newly launched Instagram
account.
Engagement with 26 posts:
− Likes 603
− Comments 10
− Saves 9
− Impressions 7972
• Engagement decreased by 1.1% during this period.
| 14
Overview of Social Media July – Sept 2019World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD)
In the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 the
team embarked on a social media campaign which promoted this year's
theme "shining a light on suicide prevention" by dispelling some common
myths about suicide. Each day for ten days a different myth was
addressed to raise awareness and encourage conversation. This
culminated on WSPD with the CRRMH team celebrating the day with a
special morning team and further promoting the campaign.
Rebranding of How Are You Going? Poster
The new design of the How Are you Going? Poster was launched and
shared widely on social media.
Tessa Caton provides RAMHP Overview
Tessa gave an overview of what makes RAMHP different and impactful
in rural NSW.
NAIDOC Week
During NAIDOC week RAMHP posted information about the Wiradjuri
people, the traditional owners of the land RAMHP head office is
situated.
Sconversations
RAMHP partnered with the Country Womens' Association to launch a
Sconversations initiative, aimed at encouraging people to catch-up and
check-in with each other over a cup of tea and scone.
General RAMHP Program Updates
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 15
Data Considerations
This Report 3 represents the third period of data collected using the
RAMHP App in 2019. There are a number of considerations which must
be taken into account when interpreting the results of this Report. These
include:
• Annual leave taken by RAMHP Coordinators during the reporting
period may impact on their data presented in the Report.
• The correctness of data from the RAMHP App relies on the accurate
data entry of the RAMHP Coordinators.
General RAMHP
Program Updates
Data
Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 16
How Many People Were Linked?
• From July – September 2019, 599 people were linked to mental
health support services or resources by RAMHP Coordinators. This
indicates a steady increase in links since the start of the year.
• The majority of links (n=469, 78%) were people seeking
assistance for themselves.
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 17
Chart 1: Number of Links Jan. – Sep. 2019, by Linkage Type
310422 469
140
156130
Jan - Mar 2019 Apr - Jun 2019 Jul - Sep 2019
Nu
mb
er
of
Lin
ks
Quarter
Linked someone to services/resources to help someone else
Linked someone to services/resources for themselves
How Did Linking Take Place?
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
• During July – September 2019, the largest number of links took
place when RAMHP Coordinators attended community events
(n=79, 34%).
• A considerable proportion of linkages also occurred by
providing advice to other professionals (n=42, 18%) and
through RAMHP training (n=40, 17%).
| 18
Note: (n=235). 364 cases were not included as they were group links i.e. when a
number of people are linked at the same time for a specific issue.
Chart 2: Proportion of Links Jul. – Sept. 2019, by Method of Linkage
34%
17%18%
15%
4%
4%
8%
I met them at a community event or meeting
They attended training I delivered
I provided linking advice to a professional in my partnerships/networks
Through phone or email contact
The ‘person in need’ works for a service in my partnerships/networks
The ‘person in need’ was referred from another service
Other
How Did Linking Take Place?
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 19
Note: (n=235). 364 cases were not included as they were group links i.e. when a number of people are linked at the same time for a specific issue.
Table 5: Proportion of Links Jul. – Sept. 2019, by Method of Linkage & Local Health District
How linking took place Far WestHunter New
England
Illawarra
ShoalhavenMid North Coast Murrumbidgee Nepean Blue Mtns. Northern Southern Sydney Areas Western Total
I met them at a community event
or meeting52% 40% 0% 0% 57% 0% 29% 22% 100% 25% 34%
They attended training I delivered 23% 23% 0% 0% 7% 0% 26% 11% 0% 10% 17%
I provided linking advice to a
professional in my
partnerships/networks
6% 9% 50% 17% 14% 0% 12% 50% 0% 17% 18%
Through phone or email contact 0% 13% 0% 33% 7% 100% 10% 8% 0% 35% 15%
The ‘person in need’ works for a
service in my
partnerships/networks
6% 0% 0% 17% 0% 0% 14% 0% 0% 2% 4%
The ‘person in need’ was referred
from another service3% 2% 0% 33% 0% 0% 7% 8% 0% 0% 4%
Other 10% 13% 50% 0% 14% 0% 2% 0% 0% 10% 8%
TOTAL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
What Symptoms Or Issues Were RAMHP Coordinators Assisting With?
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
• The 10 most common issues or symptoms RAMHP Coordinators
assisted with are presented above. More than one issue or symptom
can be selected for each person linked (N=1,774).
• The most common issue or symptom was stress (n=351).
• The issue drought has remained the second most common issue or
symptom RAMHP Coordinators assist with since this measure was
first reported in August 2018. This quarter, drought-related issues
were reported in 50% (n=302) of all links. This is the
highest proportion of drought-related links since this data
was first recorded.
| 20
Chart 3: The Ten Most Frequent Symptoms Identified when Linking, Jul. – Sept. 2019
351
302
173
116
116
114
94
88
70
65
Stress
Drought
Change in behaviour
Work or financial concerns
Disaster or adverse event
Relationship concerns
Physical health concerns
Symptoms of an emerging mental health disorder
Pre-existing mental health disorder
Grief and loss
Number of Times a Symptom is Selected
What Support Or Resources Were Suggested by RAMHP Coordinators?
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
• RAMHP Coordinators usually provide more than one type of
support or resource when they link (N=2,279).
• The most common support or resources provided by RAMHP
Coordinators were GP (n=406, 18%), printed information
(n=378, 17%), and practical strategies (n=276, 12%).
• Farmgate was added as an option to the RAMHP App in
December 2018. This will assist with collecting data on the
utilisation and activity of LHD Farmgate Counsellors (now
referred to as Drought Support Workers or Farming Family
Counsellors) funded under the NSW Government Drought
Package. There was a considerable increase in links to
Farmgate Counsellors this quarter (n=173, 8%).
| 21
Chart 4: Number of Times a Type of Support or Resource was Suggested, Jul. – Sept. 2019
406
378
276
224
181
173
137
112
99
31
28
27
25
24
23
23
21
20
17
17
14
9
5
5
GP
Printed information
I provided strategies
Private specialist
Website information, online therapy or e-mental health
Farmgate
Other mental health telephone support service
Rural assistance services
MH Line or Accessline
Social worker
CMHT
Other
Employment support services
Carer support service
Youth services
Family or relationship service
Alcohol or Other Drug Service
Social support group
Non-Gov MH Team
Emergency services
Material or financial assistance service
Legal aid
Housing assistance service
Education support services
Number of Times a Suggestion was Given
Coordinators’ Stories From Those We Help
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
A partner agency contacted me for
information about any nearby
gambling counselling services. I
provided linkage to the local
Lifeline gambling and financial
counselling team, legal support
services and online/telephone
supports for gambling concerns.
I spoke to someone who had taken their
neighbours guns away and called emergency
services out of concern for them. He wanted to
know if he had done the right thing. I suggested
that he too could benefit from speaking to a
professional to debrief. I talked through the last
pages of the Glove Box Guide and gave him a
copy along with a copy of the How Are You
Going? poster, a Let’s Talk Mental Health
Phone Services sheet, a Let’s Talk Managing
Stress sheet and a card explaining the other
services RAMHP offers.
A physiotherapist concerned about a
client who regularly speaks about suicide
contacted me. I encouraged them to
speak to AccessLine for advice. We also
explored the physios need for debriefing
and self-care.
I spoke with a colleague who is experiencing
a challenging clinical issue at work. I gave
support, an opportunity for them to talk, and
encouraged them to seek professional
supervision and Employee Assistance
Program services.
A man called me after information on how to get
work as he is having trouble finding employment
off-farm during the drought. He explained his
long history of mental health problems, and we
discussed options for employment, financial
support and keeping mentally healthy. I got a phone call from a men's
homelessness shelter. They were
having difficulty accessing mental
health services. The person of
concern had multiple issues. I
encouraged them to contact a social
worker and/or NGO service provider
such as Wellways.
| 22
How Much Training Was Delivered?
• From July – September 2019, 134 training courses were
delivered by RAMHP Coordinators.
• The most common training courses delivered were Tailored Training
(n=56, 42%), Workplace Support Skills (n=28, 21%), and Mental
Health First Aid (n=23, 17%).
• RAMHP Coordinators delivered training to 3,705 participants this
quarter. This is the highest number of participants since the RAMHP
App was first used to report this data in July 2016.
• On average each course contained 28 participants. This is the
highest average number of participants recorded, indicating that
courses are being well attended.
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 23
Chart 5: Number of Training Courses Delivered, by Course Type,
Jan. – Sept. 2019Chart 6: Number of Training Participants, Jan. – Sept. 2019
310 8
22
3128
17
61
56
17
28
23
5
7
13
11
3
4
66
142
134
Jan-Mar 2019 Apr-Jun 2019 Jul-Sep 2019
Nu
mb
er
of
Trai
nin
g C
ou
rse
s
Quarter
CSS WSS HISS TT MHFA W&Y VW GTD Total
1,432
3,044
3,705
Jan-Mar 2019 Apr-Jun 2019 Jul-Sep 2019
Num
ber
of
Tra
inin
g P
art
icip
ants
Total number of training participants across all training courses
Who Did RAMHP Coordinators Train?
• Training courses were predominantly comprised of primary
industry (n=21, 16%) and mental health employees
(n=17, 13%).
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
Examples of Organisations Trained
• Dareton Public School
• Anglican Church Pastoral Care
• Diggers Footy Club
• Pacific Hope School
• AgTech Conference
• Duffy Elliott Lawyers
• Waminda Aboriginal Women's Health Service
• Mannus Correctional Facility
• Social Futures
• Spotless
• Life Pharmacy
• New South Wales Rural Fire Service
• Department of Planning Industry and Environment
• National Charolais Youth Stampede
• Active Farmers
• Boyce Chartered Accountants
| 24
Chart 7: Number of Training Courses, Audience Type, Jul. – Sept. 2019
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
5
5
7
8
8
10
12
13
13
17
21
Employment
Aboriginal
Housing
Mixed welfare services
Legal
Heavy industry
Disability
Sports
Education
Police or emergency services
Carers
Physical health (eg medical)
Youth
Other government or council
Other Private Business
Other
Community group or organisation
General Community Members
Mental health
Primary industry
Number of Training Courses
Au
die
nce
Typ
e
What Audiences Were Reached Through Community Events?
• RAMHP Coordinators attended a large number of farming (n=78,
36%) and general community (n=76, 35%) events.
• General community events included Menindee Rugby League
Knockout, Dundurrabin Bushfire Community Meeting, Moree
Community Connect Day, Goulburn Play and Health Forum, Carpe
Diem, Walk 'n' Talk Lithgow and Delungra Community Drought
Afternoon.
• RAMHP Coordinators had direct contact with 3,506 visitors at events.
General RAMHP
Program UpdatesData Considerations
RAMHP Updates by
Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM
| 25
Chart 8: Coordinator Attendance at Community Events, by Audience
Type, Jul. – Sept. 2019
1
1
2
3
3
5
7
9
9
9
12
76
78
Elderly
Consumers
Carers
Service Providers
Education
Professionals
Drought agencies
Youth
Men
Aboriginal
Women
General community
Farming
Coordinator Attendance at Community Events
Au
die
nc
e T
yp
e
If you have any questions regarding the content of this Report, please contact:
Tessa Caton
Program Manager, RAMHP
Ph: 0484 339 996
Email: [email protected]