.png?width=200&height=80&name=RMHC%20LOGO%20-%201%20(Colour).png "RMHC")
Wednesday November 5th – Friday, November 7th, 2025
Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, Tasmania
Rural Mental Health for the Future: Innovations, Collaboration, and Inclusive Approaches
Attend and join your peers in Hobart at RMHC25
For the future of Rural Mental Health
RMHC25 is a gathering of minds from all across the Rural Mental Health landscape. From allied and mental health workers to peer workers and lived experience presenters, this conference showcases all the voices that make up the tapestry of mental health needs and services from across Australia.
Gather, learn, conceptualise and strategise together on what needs to happen now and in the future to see continuous positive growth in the services and outcomes for mental health in rural and remote areas.
We'll tackle sensitive issues like addressing substance use, violence and family dynamics in rural mental health, while also highlighting innovative pathways to inclusive and accessible mental health support and peer support models.
Experts will share culturally safe and holistic approaches to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing in rural and remote communities as well as talking about workforce barriers and hybrid delivery models.
The Destination
This year we’re bringing the conference to Hobart, Tasmania.
The Mission
Join us and be a part of the RMHC25 mission. Together we will:
- Address key mental and emotional health challenges facing rural and remote communities and plan for brighter future.
- Support mental health professionals and emerging workers in the field by providing access to networking opportunities and a high level of professional development.
- Provide a platform for government policy and initiatives to update, inform and seek feedback from the people who are delivering the services in the community.
- Encourage multi-sectoral collaboration and create an engaging space for knowledge sharing, and learning opportunities within the rural and remote mental health sector.
What will I gain from RMHC25?
Connection, Community & Innovations
- Does this sound like you?
- Is RMHC for me?
- What will you gain from attending?
- The Fun Stuff
Who attends RMHC?
Here’s a snapshot of delegates who typically attend RMHC
RMHC brings together mental health professionals, government, peer workers and people with lived experience to progress mental health and wellbeing for all rural and remote communities. Delegates include:
- Psychologists and Psychiatrists.
- Mental Health Nurses, GPs, Clinical workers.
- Peer workers, support workers.
- Counsellors, Occupational therapists, Clinical workers, Social workers.
- Rural community leaders.
- Rural Heads of organisations: Resource Sector, Construction, Banking, Lawyers, Retail, Healthcare, Energy, Police, Fire & Rescue, Manufacturing, Tourism and Hospitality.
- Education and Academia: Professors, Lecturers, Researchers and Students.
- Government: Policy and advocacy.
Is RMHC for me?
Yes! The Rural Mental Health Conference is for you if you’re looking for…
- Honest and brave conversations around the current issues facing the rural and remote mental health sector.
- Thoughtful sessions from some of the sector’s leading minds.
- A platform to ask the big questions and address the big opportunities within the sector including Addressing Substance Use, Violence, and Family Dynamics in Rural Mental Health, Disaster preparedness and response, Holistic and Integrative Approaches to Mental Health Prevention in Rural Populations plus more.
- Information on new ideas, holistic treatments, innovations and technologies supporting sector professionals.
- A break away from your every-day to focus on the future of what rural and remote mental health looks like for you and your community.
What will you gain from attending?
RMHC25 will be the best conference you attend this year!
Connect with your peers across the rural mental health community, learn from each other, network and share ideas.
Be refreshed with new ideas and innovative approaches to maximising the potential in rural mental health care.
Walk away engergised by the changing landscape of the sector and your future within it.
You'll have:
- Access to all recorded keynote presentations (30 days)
- All recorded concurrent presentations (30 days)
- Access to event app
- Printed event materials
- Over 10 hours towards CPD points
- Your personalised certificate of attendance
The Fun Stuff
The Fun Stuff
Attend RMHC25 in Hobart and enjoy:
- An exclusive welcome networking function with drinks and canapes
- Catering package for the entire conference
- The chance to win awesome prizes at the conference
- Chillout mindfulness zones
- Special extras organised for all delegates
- Returning delegate gift if you’ve joined us before
- Introductions to exhibition partners to see what’s new and interesting
Keynote Speakers
The RMHC25 Program
Rural Mental Health for the Future: Innovations, Collaboration, and Inclusive Approaches
RMHC25 Topics
Click to expand each of the topics below.
-
Holistic and Integrative Approaches to Mental Health Prevention in Rural Populations
- Mind-body approaches in rural mental health care
- The role of diet and nutrition in supporting mental health
- Social and spiritual support for mental health in rural areas
- Nature-based therapies and ecotherapy for mental health
-
Youth Mental Health in Rural and Regional Communities
- Early intervention programs in rural schools: building mental health literacy and resilience
- School based counselling and support services
- Community-led youth mental health initiatives: creating safe spaces and overcoming discrimination
- Digital and social media initiatives for rural youth
- Supporting LGBTQ+ youth in rural areas
- Prevention and response to youth suicide in rural areas
- School-based trauma response and support for youth in rural areas
- Youth substance use in rural settings and prevention programs
-
Ageing and Mental Health in Rural Communities
- Addressing social isolation and loneliness in rural elderly populations
- Managing age-related cognitive decline and dementia in rural settings
- Depression, anxiety, and chronic illness among older adults in rural areas
- Access to mental health services and telehealth for older adults
- Cultural and spiritual care for older Indigenous Australians in rural areas
- Addressing the social, economic, and health system impacts of an ageing population on rural communities
-
Peer-Support Models
- Community-led mental health initiatives and hubs
- Peer support programs in rural communities
- Integrated peer and clinical support models into local health services
- Rural-specific suicide prevention and postvention initiatives
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community engagement and peer led models
- Mental health first aid training for rural community members
- Digital peer support networks and remote access models
-
Disaster Preparedness and Response: Building Resilience and Addressing Outcomes
- Climate change and mental health in rural communities
- Disaster preparedness and resilience building in rural communities
- Post-disaster mental health interventions and support systems
- Trauma-Informed care training for rural health and emergency workers
- Addressing long-term trauma following climate-related disasters
- Improving access to crisis services: mobile mental health clinics in rural and remote areas
- Promoting positive mental health through community-driven initiatives
- Suicide prevention and crisis intervention in isolated communities
- Emergency mental health services and accessibility in remote areas
-
Addressing Substance Use, Violence, and Family Dynamics in Rural Mental Health
- Family violence in rural communities: improving understanding, rural-specific programs and safety plans
- Harmful use of AOD: prevalence and contributing factors in rural communities
- Integrated AOD support services for rural Australians
- Support systems for carers and families of individuals at risk of harmful substance use
- Effective models to address mental health and substance use disorders
- Depression, alcohol and stress: addressing co-occurring disorders in rural communities
-
Innovative Pathways to Inclusive and Accessible Mental Health Support in Rural Communities
- Leveraging technology to bridge mental health gaps in rural communities
- Inclusive and ongoing sustainable mental health support for LGBTQ+ populations in rural areas
- Suicide prevention strategies enhanced by community and technology
- Innovative, inclusive community programs for suicide and crisis support
- Building capacity, capability and cultural competency across the rural mental health workforce
- Rural men and the challenges of suicide prevention
-
Strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing in Remote and Rural Communities
- Culturally safe and holistic approaches to mental health care
- Addressing intergenerational trauma and its impact on mental health
- Elder-led mental health programs and peer support initiatives
- Addressing substance use and mental health through integrated care models
- Promoting Indigenous youth mental health through education and cultural connection
-
Workforce and Wellbeing in Rural Areas
- Strategies to attract and retain skilled mental health professionals in rural regions
- Overcoming barriers to long-term retention and promoting career sustainability in rural areas
- Exploring remote and hybrid service delivery models to enhance appropriate, effective and accessible support
- Adapting work arrangements to fit the unique needs of rural healthcare workers and communities
- Promoting peer support, mentorship, and community connection to reduce stress and burnout
- Developing workplace mental health initiatives that promote prevention of mental ill-health and encourage well-being and mutual care
-
Supporting Carers in Rural Communities
- Challenges and solutions for accessing supports, services, and programs in rural and remote areas.
- Innovative approaches to building carer knowledge and skills through technology, peer networks, and local initiatives.
- Improving employment, education, and training opportunities for carers to balance responsibilities.
- Targeted strategies to reduce burnout and stress while enhancing carers’ wellbeing.
- Addressing the unique needs of younger and older carers through tailored resources and programs.
- Building an evidence base to understand the experiences, needs, and effective support strategies for young carers in rural and remote communities.
What do past delegates say about The
Rural Mental Health Conference?
"The conference was well organised, lots of session options and the presentations were very relevant to rural areas. The social get together after the program was a great opportunity to network in the field."
"Being in the room with so many people from various sectors, parts of Australia and experience was really valuable!"
"I was impressed by the range and calibre of presenters and found the content inspiring and thought provoking. It was very well organised and I found the organising team to be very responsive and accommodating."
"Wide variety of presentations and stall holders, ample opportunities for networking and supportive environment to feel vulnerable while learning from others"
"For me it was a great mix of old connections and new. It was a good mix of ideas and evidence. And the number of people meant that both of those things could be achieved."
"Go! It's a wonderful experience, it's amazing hearing from ordinary, everyday people doing extraordinary things on the daily. It's inspiring and really brings home how important our work is."
"Attend if you can… the opportunity to network and hear from others helps recharge the batteries."
"This is the conference to learn how much is going on in rural communities and to spark exciting ideas for what you and your organisation could do next."
"I have been inspired by so many likeminded clinicians and especially lived experience colleagues. I have learnt so much and really look forward to inspiring change in practices."
Registration Options
Me
Me & My Team
$ 439 + GST
Virtual
Save $110 with Early Bird. Ends 19/09/2025.
- Live streaming of all keynote presenters
- Live streaming of all sessions in the plenary room over three day conference period
- Virtual presentations
- Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days*
- Over 15 hours towards CPD points
- Live online support
- Your personalised certificate of attendance
$ 1,169 + GST
In-Person | 3 Day Program
Save $330 with Early Bird. Ends 19/09/2025.
- All keynote presentations
- All concurrent presentations
- Discounted accommodation rates
- Access to conference app
- Conference catering package
- Access to exclusive networking functions
- Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days post-event
- Printed conference materials
- Over 15 hours towards CPD points
- Your personalised certificate of attendance
- Exposure for your organisation
- Plus, chances to win great prizes!
$ 3,207 + GST
In-Person Group of 3
Save $690 with Early Bird. Ends 19/09/2025.
- All keynote presentations
- All concurrent presentations
- Discounted accommodation rates
- Access to conference app
- Conference catering package
- Access to exclusive networking functions
- Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days post-event
- Printed conference materials
- Over 15 hours towards CPD points
- Your personalised certificate of attendance
- Exposure for your organisation
- Plus, chances to win great prizes!
Have a team of 4 or more?
Fill in this form to receive a personal call from our team with your best possible rate.
Program Advisory Committee
Annette Beautrais
Suicide Prevention/Postvention Co-ordinator, Psychosocial Support Rural Health NZ
Maja Asmus
Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Manager, Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network
Where It's Happening
Venue & Accommodation
Accommodation is optional and can be booked during registration.
| City Side Room | $250 per night |
| City Side Room with Breakfast for One | $285 per night |
| City Side Room with Breakfast for Two | $320 per night |
| Harbour View Room | $300 per night |
| Harbour View Room with Breakfast for One | $335 per night |
| Harbour View Room with Breakfast for Two | $370 per night |
All prices include GST.
Host Destination Partner
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Networking Event Sponsor
Showcase Exhibitor
Showcase Exhibitor
Contact Us
Use the form below to send us a message and we'll be in touch with you shortly.