A new grant to improve rural mental health outcomes

Researchers from the Regional Universities Network have received new research funding of $970,000 from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to help people in rural Australia navigate and access mental and physical health services. This unique research project involves 25 researchers from nine Australian Universities in a unique collaboration between Equally Well Australia and the Manna Insitute.

The research project ‘Consumers and carers as Physical Health Care Navigators in rural Australia: experiences of care and a randomised efficacy trial’ is a response to the Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Improving physical health of people with a mental illness 2022 grant opportunity from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The new research project is a national study that explores the benefits of a lived experience workforce supporting people experiencing mental health concerns to navigate and access both mental and physical health services. It will be co-designed and led by people with lived experience as consumers of mental health services and their carers from rural communities.

The research project aims to develop a new model of care that trains a peer-based workforce to improve the capacity to deliver mental and physical health services in rural areas. Improving the poor physical health and reduced life expectancy of people living with mental illness is a priority of the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan, a key recommendation of the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health and an action of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.

The research will be led by Professor Russell Roberts of Charles Sturt University, Equally Well Australia, and the Manna Institute.

“Workforce shortages and limited access to targeted services is increasing the risk of people living with mental illness in rural areas dying prematurely from preventable physical health conditions. As a result, people with mental illness in rural communities have three times the risk of premature death compared to people living in capital cities," says Professor Roberts.