Rural and regional mental health

This chapter begins with an overview of the rural and regional clinical context, and explores the connections that rural mental health clinicians have within rural communities. Some models of mental health promotion and service delivery are discussed, such as community based services, visiting services, bed-based services, and e-mental health services. The nature of life in rural settings and the ways in which climate and geographical location effects the mental health of people are also considered in the context of mental health resilience and vulnerability. Attention is given to the effects of natural disaster, agribusiness, mining, itinerant rural workforce and under-employment, and the mental health consequences related to these matters. In addition, the story of a newly graduated registered nurse's experience in a rural hospital illustrates the real-life tensions between resourcing and helping rural people with mental illness. This chapter discusses some rural community benefits in regard to mental health promotion, such as a deeply felt sense of close social proximity despite significant geographical distances between rural people, and it explores aspects of rural stoicism. Rural and regional mental health promotion are considered and linked to key groups such as young people, and the agricultural and mining sectors. After reading this chapter, students will be able to reflect on, and critically think about, the ways in which mental health promotion, well-being and recovery can be enhances among rural populations.