Mental health professionals from across the Hunter New England region will gather in Tamworth later this month for a major forum focused on improving collaboration and strengthening care in rural communities.
The forum, titled Foundations & Frontiers: Expanding the Reach of Rural Mental Health Care, will be hosted by the Mental Health Professionals’ Network at the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health’s Tamworth Education Centre on Tuesday 19 May.
The event will bring together rural and regional health practitioners, sector leaders and mental health experts to discuss the challenges facing mental health care in country communities, including workforce shortages, limited service access and geographic isolation.
Organisers say the forum has been designed specifically around the realities of working in rural settings, with a strong focus on building professional networks and improving coordinated care pathways across the Hunter New England region.
The program includes presentations from a range of leading specialists, including psychiatrist Helen Williams on the connection between mental and physical health, and credentialed mental health nurse John Hurley discussing early intervention models for rural children and families.
Associate Professor and clinical psychologist Peter Smith will speak about culturally responsive practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, while general practitioner Elisabeth Brown will explore emerging evidence around psychedelic-assisted therapy in mental health care.
Alongside the formal presentations, the forum will include panel discussions and networking opportunities aimed at helping practitioners connect across disciplines and share experiences from the frontline of rural health care.
The Hunter New England Rural Mental Health Forum will run from 9am to 3pm on Tuesday 19 May, with free registration available for attendees.
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