Our Vision

 The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health will improve the mental health of rural and remote communities through academic leadership, collaboration and achievements in research, education, service development and information services.

PATRON

The Patron of the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) is the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

OBJECTIVES

• To develop a framework for action for the CRRMH that will enable the achievement of its strategic direction.

• To establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders in rural mental health that enhances and supports CRRMH research, education and service planning programs, and enables the CRRMH to provide feedback from rural communities on new and emerging mental health needs.

• To provide academic leadership in rural mental health research for the purpose of gathering empirical evidence to guide mental health service delivery for rural and remote NSW.

• To initiate and lead the development, implementation and evaluation of education programs that build the skills and capacity of health professionals, academic institutions and communities to promote the mental health and emotional wellbeing of people living and working in rural and remote communities in NSW.

• To provide leadership in state-wide consultation and collaboration on rural mental health service and policy initiatives, develop appropriate and cost effective service models for mental health care of dispersed populations and assist the recruitment and retention of an appropriately skilled workforce.

• To develop a framework for reviewing and monitoring CRRMH performance to ensure that key outcomes for CRRMH's programs and services are achieved.

KEY STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

• Research

• Education

• Service Development

• Information Services

AREAS OF INTEREST

• Building knowledge about the mental health needs of rural and remote communities

• Major community-wide stressors in rural areas, such as drought

• Rural emergency mental health care

• Aboriginal mental health

• Co-existing mental health and substance use disorders

• Early intervention and mental health promotion

• Rural health professionals' recruitment, retention and education