Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) is a state-wide organisation committed to improving the mental health, wellbeing and resilience of rural and remote residents.
A major rural initiative of The University of Newcastle, Faculty of Health and Medicine and the NSW Ministry of Health, the Centre has a track record of conducting high-quality research and delivering evidence-based programs and services that improve mental health and wellbeing.
CRRMH staff are located across rural and remote NSW.
The Centre focuses 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
- understanding and responding to rural suicide.
As the Australian Collaborating Centre for the International Foundation for Integrated Care, the CRRMH promotes patient-centred, rather than provider-focused, care that integrates mental and physical health concerns.
The CRRMH works closely with local, national and international organisations, including community, industry, academic, NGOs and government to deliver the best outcomes.
As part of the University of Newcastle, all CRRMH activities are underpinned by research evidence and evaluated to ensure appropriateness and effectiveness.
About
Audiences
- Adults
- Community
- Families
- Lived experience
- People with an increased risk of suicide
- People who have attempted suicide
- People experiencing mental illness
- Regional and remote communities
- Farming communities
- Workforce
Activities
- Provides Policy Information
- Conducts Research
- Provides Factsheets
Organisation Type
- Research
- University or tertiary education
Affiliations
Our Programs and Services
Program Type
- Education and community engagement
- Resilience and wellbeing
- Training
- Information and referral services
Audience
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Adults
- Older persons
- Carers
- Community
- Families
- Men
- Women
- People experiencing mental illness
- Regional and remote communities
- Farming communities
- Workforce
Location
- New South Wales
Our Resources
Rural Suicide and its Prevention: a CRRMH position paper
A position paper for rural suicide and its prevention.
A sociological autopsy lens on older adult suicide in rural Australia: Addressing health, psychosocial factors and care practices at the intersection of policies and institutions
This paper examines the interrelationship between suicide, health, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors in contributing to suicide in older adults in rural Australia.
Act Belong Commit Fact Sheets and Resources
The CRRMH has adapted the Act Belong Commit mental health promotion campaign as one of its key initiatives. You can find an evaluation report as well as a range of fact sheets and resources to educate people about being mentally healthy.
Effects of mental health training on capacity, willingness and engagement in peer-to-peer support in rural New South Wales
Rural Australians experience significant barriers in accessing mental health services, some of which may be overcome by increasing mental health literacy in rural communities. This paper evaluates Mental Health Support Skills (MHSS), short training courses developed by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP). MHSS was designed to build the capacity of community members and gatekeepers to identify people with mental health concerns and link them to appropriate resources or services.
Glove Box Guide to Mental Health
Each year the CRRMH and RAMHP together with The Land produce the Glove Box Guide to Mental Health. The Guide provides people’s personal stories, practical information and education on including online therapies and information on mental well-being tools and apps, as well as tips and strategies on how to stay mentally healthy.
Let’s Talk Fact Sheets
The CRRMH and RAMHP provide a range of free fact sheets to educate people about rural mental health issues. These cover topics such as: Seeing your GP about your mental health, managing stress during drought, where to find help for mental health services and taking care of yourself following a natural disaster.
Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health podcast
The CRRMH developed an award winning podcast in partnership with journalist Kia Kandley which covers mental health issues in rural and regional Australia. The podcast includes three series covering a diverse range of topics including: mentally healthy workplaces, rural suicide prevention, homelessness, coping with the drought, loneliness and men’s mental health.
Mental Health Continuum resource
How Are You Going? poster
This resource helps you track how you are feeling and where to get help if you need it.
How Are You Going? Infographic (youth version)
This resource was developed with ReachOut for rural young people to help track how they are feeling and where to find help if they or someone they know is struggling with their mental health.
Suicide in rural Australia: A retrospective study of mental health problems, health-seeking and service utilisation.
Suicide rates are higher in rural Australia than in major cities, although the factors contributing to this are not well understood. This study highlights trends in suicide and examines the prevalence of mental health problems and service utilisation of non-Indigenous Australians by geographic remoteness in rural Australia.
The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health Videos
The CRRMH and RAMHP have developed a series of videos many of which are used in our training programs to help support and educate rural communities about mental health and wellbeing.
You Got This Mate
You Got This Mate provides tips and info to help rural men reach their best possible mental health.