Hundreds of Queensland residents have been invited to take part in a University of Queensland research project aimed at improving mental health in rural communities across Australia.
Residents have been chosen randomly to receive a questionnaire asking about their attitudes and knowledge of mental health issues in their community. The questionnaire is part of the Australian Integrated Mental Health Initiative, known as AIMhi. The Queensland part of the project involves working with several rural communities centred on Biloela, Stanthorpe, Oakey, Bundaberg, Goondiwindi, Emerald, Chinchilla and Mackay.
In these communities, researchers link with local health service providers, such as general practitioners and offer information and training on strategies for assisting people with illnesses such as depression or drug addiction. These strategies might include methods for reducing risk behaviour or improving motivation to break an addiction. At the end of the project, another questionnaire will be sent to residents to measure the effectiveness of the health promotion strategies.
Chief Investigator, Professor Helen Bartlett said the questionnaire was an important first stage of the project. The questionnaire was sent out on 19 July and is due for return by 9 August.
“We are asking people about their perceptions and knowledge of mental health matters, including services that are available in their community and what they see as the important mental health issues in their towns. This information will provide an important baseline for us to measure changes in the community at the end of the project,” Prof Bartlett said.
These rural centres were selected to provide a cross section of communities, based on differing populations, social contexts and facilities. Researchers hoped the results from this study would help offer solutions for improving mental health outcomes in communities across Australia, she said.
“Depression and other chronic mental health disorders are an important cause of long-term disability and reduced life expectancy. Recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that around 9% of men and 16% of women suffer from depression or anxiety. Rural populations are also affected, but they have received less attention.”
AIMhi is funded by the National Health & Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) and partners including Queensland Health. For more information visit: www.uq.edu.au/health/aimhi .
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Questionnaire - Professor Helen Bartlett – 0411073609
Mental health Issues – Professor David Kavanagh 0419 479 227
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