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The 2024 Rural Mental Health Conference is the perfect platform to share your work.

Share the stage with leaders in rural mental health at RMHC24

Apply to present at RMHC 2024.

Final applications due Friday, 10 May, 2024.

What to present at RMHC24

Share your research, clinical work, case studies and ideas

If you’re passionate about rural mental health care and the future of our sector, then please register your interest to present now.

The conference committee is looking for presenters (and co-presenters) who are ready to passionately share: 

  • Research findings, data and information which could inspire changes in service delivery and help create a sustainable future for rural mental health.  
  • Case studies which inspire innovations across digital solutions, service delivery models and community connections in our rural areas. 
  • Best-practice applications to create immediate improvement for rural communities.  
  • Successful rural mental health projects and programs that deliver long term success journeys.  
  • Culturally responsive solutions of how rural mental health presents for Indigenous, First Nations people and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities from around the world.  
  • Practical strategies which are creating lasting and positive effects for individuals and families, sector workers and mental health professionals in our rural areas.

Presenters are encouraged to share their powerful experiences that address the conference topics with originality and flare. 

Next Section

What we’ll cover at RMHC24

Empowering Rural Communities: From Crisis to Wellbeing Initiatives

Click to expand each of the topics below.

  1. First Nations and Indigenous Mental Health Resilience and Equity
    • Culturally aware support and services for Indigenous communities, including strategies to sustain and expand tailored services.
    • Incorporating cultural competence training for mental health professionals.
    • Supporting Indigenous communities to lead mental health initiatives and supporting Indigenous workforces through targeted training programs and career development opportunities.

  2. Empowering Community Voices: Centring Lived Experience in Mental Health Service Provision
    • Incorporating lived experience perspectives in service design and delivery and fostering meaningful collaboration
    • Integrating peer support workers into service delivery models and recognising their valuable contributions
    • Promoting consumer leadership and involvement in decision-making processes
    • Cultivating culturally responsive and community-driven approaches to mental health care.

  3. Improving Mental Health Support in Rural and Geographically Dispersed Areas
    • Strategies for overcoming service gaps and shortages in mental health, lived experience, peer professionals.
    • Innovative outreach programs and addressing transportation barriers in accessing facilities and specialists.
    • Promoting tailored mental health awareness campaigns and community-driven initiatives.
    • Overcoming obstacles related to cultural and human rights to facilitate support and healing

  4. Workforce Development in Rural Mental Health
    • Ensuring a robust workforce in rural mental health, including recruitment and retention strategies.
    • Providing training programs for both professionals and local community members.
    • Implementing collaborative care models to address interdisciplinary needs in remote settings.
    • Addressing specific stressors and challenges faced by farmers
    • Supporting the peer and emerging workforce through mentorship programs, skill-building and opportunities for career advancement and leadership

  5. Promoting Inclusion and Mental Well-being in Rural Communities
    • Implementing inclusive initiatives and community-based awareness campaigns for LGBTIA+, CALD and other diverse communities
    • Promoting mental health through community engagement and social activities, particularly in close-knit communities.
    • Recognising virtual community support networks, both establish and new platforms to combat isolation and promote mental health

  6. Resource Allocation for Rural Mental Health Programs
    • Supporting community-led initiatives through funding, training and resource-sharing to foster local ownership and sustainability in mental health initiatives.
    • Implementing strategies to maximise the impact of limited resources in rural settings and forming partnerships to enhance mental health services in remote areas.

  7. Integrating Early Distress Interventions into Rural Suicide Prevention Strategies
    • Implementing proactive measures to address distress in rural and remote communities.
    • Identifying early warning signs and risk factors unique to rural settings.
    • Engaging communities in mental health first aid and crisis response.

  8. Environment Sustainability and Mental Health
    • Understanding mental health impacts of environmental stressors: droughts, natural disasters and climate change.
    • Building resilience and coping strategies within rural communities to address these challenges.
    • Integrating mental health support into disaster preparedness and response plans.
    • Promoting sustainable practices that balance agriculture, biodiversity and community well-being while addressing climate and environmental challenges in rural communities.
    • Understanding mental health effects stemming from domestic family violence, poverty and the deprivation of opportunities

  9. Telehealth Solutions and Challenges in Rural Mental Health
    • Maximising the potential of telehealth to ensure equitable services for diverse rural populations
    • Addressing limitations: Internet connectivity, digital literacy and technology access.

  10. Enhancing Mental Health through Nature-Based Therapies and Alternative Programs in Rural Communities
    • Implementing nature-based trails, eco-therapeutic initiatives and outdoor programs tailored to rural areas.
    • Developing community-driven nature-focused initiatives aimed at promoting mental health awareness, resilience and well-being.
    • Integrating nature-based interventions into existing mental health support systems to provide holistic care for rural residents.
    • Enhancing community capability to provide diverse and tailored support

Presentation Styles

Click to expand.
Oral Presentation

Take the stage and present to the audience in a 15 or 20 minutes speaking session with 5 minutes for questions.

Workshop

Keep the attention of attendees via engaging, hands-on learning experience in a 90-minute workshop.

Panel Presentation

Panel presentations bring together views from a group of presenters into a discussion of innovative ideas, current topics, and relevant issues. Each panel session will run for 60 minutes and will consist of at least 3 panel members.

Poster Presentation

Visually showcase your research or services via a printed poster, displayed in the conference exhibition area for the duration of the conference. A dedicated 10 minute poster session is included in the conference program.

Important Dates

 

Presentation applications open Friday 19 April 2024
Presentation applications close Friday 10 May 2024
Notifications to presenters Friday 7 June 2024
Acceptances and registrations due Friday 21 June 2024
Program launch Thursday 27 June 2024
Scholarships close Friday 13 September 2024
Early bird closes

Friday 20 September 2024
Conference dates Wednesday 6 - Friday 8 Nov 2024