At the launch of the Hub are (from left) MPHN brand and marketing lead Cristy Houghton, Three Rivers DRH lecturer in rural health Lucinda Derrick and Three Rivers DRH rural mental health academic adviser Latitia Kernaghan. Photo: Charles Sturt University.
The Three Rivers Department of Rural Health and the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network have co-created a new online training hub to help educate students and professionals about mental health.
The Rural Mental Health Education Enhancement Hub was officially launched on 9 October and has been designed to meet rural communities’ mental health needs.
The Hub will provide students, mental health professionals and rural health professionals with easy access to information, educational materials and career development tools tailored to challenges and opportunities in rural mental health.
Workshops will be offered through the Hub to provide networking and learning opportunities.
Three Rivers DRH lecturer in rural health in Wagga Wagga Lucinda Derrick said the Hub was a significant milestone in supporting the recruitment and retention of mental health professionals.
“The Hub aims to bridge the gap in mental health services and education in rural areas, ensuring students and professionals have the necessary support to contribute effectively to their communities,” she said.
“It has been designed to be a comprehensive resource for mental health education, training and career development.
“It provides accessible, high-quality information and tools to support students and health professionals in rural areas.”
During the design of the Hub, extensive consultation was undertaken with people who have lived experience of mental ill-health, as well as students, industry leaders and academics.
The first initiative from the Hub is Three Rivers DRH sponsoring Gateway Health to bring its award-winning theatre performance Listening to Voices to Wagga Wagga on 30 October.
“Attending the performance and workshop offers an opportunity to challenge stigma, inspire change and create new conversations around mental health in the community and workplace,” Ms Derrick said.
MPHN mental health, alcohol and other drugs manager Maja Asmus said the collaboration had produced a useful resource for health professionals and community members.
“By combining our expertise and resources, we’ve been able to create a resource that is poised to become an indispensable tool for students and professionals in rural health, contributing to the overall improvement of mental health outcomes in rural communities,” she said.
Free tickets are available for the Listening to Voices performance, which will be at the Charles Sturt University Riverina Playhouse from 6 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, 30 October. The workshop on Thursday, 31 October, will be at the CSU library from 10 am to 3 pm. Those interested are encouraged to register to attend.
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
