Capturing benefits of new technologies for rural and remote wellbeing
Capturing benefits of new technologies for rural and remote wellbeing Conference Paper
11th National Rural Health Conference: Rural and remote Australia: the heart of a healthy nation
- Author(s): Christopher J Groot
- Published: 2011
Abstract: Rural and remote communities are defined by isolation. Because of their geographical detachment from Australian metropolitan centres, people within rural and remote communities often encounter significant barriers to accessing fundamental health care services. Such difficulties in accessing care are pervasive across the spectrum of health care services, including mental health services. Specialist mental health services are especially sparse in rural and remote Australia, resulting in difficulties in accessing help for those in dire need of psychological and psychiatric assistance, and practitioners in such communities necessarily managing excessive case loads. Additionally, general practitioners often may be confronted with the necessity to manage extremely challenging cases that demand a specialist skill set. One such challenging presentation is that of the suicidal client. Access to specialist mental health care is of critical importance for those at risk of suicide in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing. This raises the question of how this may be achieved in rural and remote communities where access to specialised mental health care is impoverished. This article will discuss how, through the use of emergent technology such as telephony and the internet, the Suicide Call Back Service facilitates the delivery of evidence-based, specialised mental health service to rural and remote Australian communities for those who are at risk of suicide, those concerned for or caring for someone at risk of suicide, those bereaved by suicide, and for health practitioners. This article begins by examining some of the cardinal issues regarding suicide in rural and remote communities such as at risk demographic groups, common stressors and risk factors, and barriers to accessing support. The way in which the Suicide Call Back Service addresses these considerations will then be systematically explored. Finally, recommendations for enhancing the delivery of suicide-specific mental health services in rural and remote communities are put forward.
- Urls: https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/11nrhc/papers/11th%20NRHC%20Groot_Christopher_C4.pdf
- Publisher Location: Perth