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The 2025 Rural Mental Health Conference is the perfect platform to share your work.

Share your research, case studies, innovations and ideas to help to drive change for mental health within rural communities.

Apply to present at RMHC 2025.

Final applications due Friday 2 May 2025.

What to present at RMHC25

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 apply to present now.

The conference committee is looking for presents (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

The RMHC25 Program

Rural Mental Health for the Future: Innovations, Collaboration, and Inclusive Approaches

With the full program to be announced in the coming months, take a look at the main topics and subtopics which will form the program.

RMHC25 Topics

Click to expand each of the topics below.

  1. 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 

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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.

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 Thursday 13 February 2025
Presentation applications close Friday 2 May 2025
Notifications to presenters Monday 26 May 2025
Acceptances and registrations due Friday 6 June 2025
Program launch Thursday 12 June 2025
Scholarships close Friday 22 August 2025
Early bird closes

Friday 19 September 2025
Conference dates Wednesday 5 November - Friday 7 November 2025