RURAL ADVERSITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM (RAMHP) QUARTERLY UPDATE - JANUARY - MARCH 2021
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RURAL ADVERSITY MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM (RAMHP) QUARTERLY UPDATE JANUARY – MARCH 2021
RAMHP Quarterly Update Report, January – March 2021
RAMHP Quarterly Update Report: January – March 2021
This report is intended to provide an update for our key stakeholders on the work being undertaken by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program
(RAMHP). It is intended that this report will be emailed to key stakeholders and also available on the Program’s website and that of the Centre for
Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH). Please email comments or questions to: jeff.fuller@newcastle.edu.au.
Table of Contents
Section Page Number
General RAMHP Program Updates 3
Data Considerations 17
RAMHP Updates by Program Component 18
LINK 18
TRAIN 24
INFORM 26
Appendices 27
APPENDIX A 28
|2 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021
General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program – Jeff Fuller & Corinna West
RAMHP Program Updates People Updates
• In February we said goodbye to Data & Evaluation Manager
• During this quarter, RAMHP completed its five-year Outcome Evaluation. Sarah Maddox, as well as RAMHP Program Manager Tessa
The full RAMHP Outcome Evaluation Report 2016 - 2020 is available here. Cummins who has taken 12 months maternity leave.
The report demonstrates the important work and outcomes of this unique Congratulations to Tessa and her husband on the arrival of
program over the last five years. A snapshot of the report can be found in baby Lulu in March.
Appendix A within this report. • We welcomed two new members to the RAMHP
• In late March, RAMHP responded to the Northern NSW flood crisis with management team this quarter: Jeff Fuller (RAMHP Program
several of our RAMHP Coordinator areas affected. This included information Manager) and Tara Phelps (RAMHP Team Leader), as well
and support being offered through the RAMHP website dedicated flood as two new RAMHP Coordinators: Alex Grantham
support page and social media, alongside the support our coordinators (Northern NSW) and Jamie Rose (Illawarra Shoalhaven).
provided to the communities. • Lithgow based RAMHP Coordinator Sonia Cox received the
• RAMHP partnered with Highway to Well and Gotcha4Life to deliver Mayor’s Special Recognition Award for her hard work and
the Tough Enough mental health fitness project in Narrabri. dedication to the Lithgow community.
• Eight ‘Decision Making & Stress Management’ workshops were held
throughout the Murrumbidgee area. Q1 2021 Report Highlights
• Planning for the free pilot ‘Be Gentle on Yourself’ event series with RAMHP
Ambassador Melinda Schneider is well underway. The events will happen in
• 408 People Linked to Care between Jan – Mar 2021
four key rural communities in partnership with local RAMHP Coordinators
throughout June.
• 83 Training Courses were delivered to 1,213
• Planning is underway with WorkSafe NSW for RAMHP Coordinators to
participants between Jan – Mar 2021
participate over June in the Women in Agriculture Workplace Health & Safety
Lunch & Learn sessions.
• 112 Community Events were attended by RAMHP
• RAMHP continued their partnership with UNSW Rural Clinical Schools with
Coordinators between Jan – Mar 2021
Coordinators running six training sessions for students across the Port
Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Wagga Wagga and Albury campuses.
• The Baggy Blues delivered its final cricket for 2020/21 in Lithgow with the
support of RAMHP.
• A new integrated RAMHP logo was developed which includes the words “A
program of the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health”.
|3 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021
General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Community Engagement Highlights – Compiled by the CRRMH Community Engagement team
Northern NSW Floods Response
Special Achievement: RAMHP Coordinator Sonia Cox
Towards the end of March much of Northern NSW was
deluged with heavy rain and flooding. As with all On the 25th February our
natural disasters, RAMHP and the CRRMH Lithgow based RAMHP
responded, and continues to respond, to the flood Coordinator, Sonia Cox,
crisis with the provision of information and resources to received the Mayor’s Special
support the mental health and wellbeing of those Recognition Award for her
affected. hard work and dedication to
the Lithgow community. The
In addition to RAMHP Coordinators in flood-affected award is a testament to her
communities being available on the ground, our range passion and drive and we are
of platforms, including social media and websites, extremely proud to have her
were utilised to provide information. This included links on the team.
to help services, information about taking care of your
mental health and a range of resources.
|4 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021
General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Community Engagement Highlights – Compiled by the CRRMH Community Engagement team
Be Gentle on Yourself Roadshow Let’s Talk podcast
RAMHP, together with RAMHP Ambassador Melinda Planning for Series 5 of the Let’s Talk podcast has commenced. The
Schneider, are rolling out a series of FREE wellbeing events in award-winning podcast features the lived experiences of rural people
four rural communities as part of a pilot project. The and was once again hosted and produced by journalist Kia Handley.
event dates and locations are:
This quarter, 2020 podcast contributors were surveyed to get feedback
• Saturday 5th June, 10am-12pm – Wagga Wagga on the quality, process, future topics, and support from RAMHP and the
• Thursday 17 June – 5.30-7.30pm -Goulburn CRRMH around sharing personal lived experience. Overall, feedback
• Sunday 20 June – 10 -12 noon – Dubbo was extremely positive with 80% of respondents rating the quality of
• Saturday 26 June – 12-2pm – Casino the podcast as ‘Very Good’ or ‘Exceptional’. 100% of respondents felt
they received appropriate support from RAMHP in relation to sharing
Each event will include music and a keynote address from their story.
Australian country music singer/song writer Melinda Schneider
and a facilitated wellbeing session from the local RAMHP
Coordinator in each community. A local Elder has been invited The Baggy Blues Tour
to do a Welcome to Country and a prominent local community
member will MC each event. RAMHP’s partnership with the Baggy Blues continued with the cricket
tour visiting Lithgow on the 25th February. The Baggy Blues Cricket
Tour is a partnership of the NSW Government, Allianz and
RAMHP. The Baggy Blues are passionate about promoting mental
health and wellbeing by bringing people together over sport. Lithgow
was the last stop on the 2020/21 tour, which covered Inverell,
Tamworth, Kempsey, and Wentworth, despite being interrupted by
COVID-19 restrictions for most of 2020.
|5 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021
General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Community Engagement Highlights – Compiled by the CRRMH Community Engagement team
Decision Making & Stress Management Workshops
RAMHP partnered with
Murrumbidgee Primary
Health Network (PHN) and
NSW Farmers to deliver a
Tough Enough Mental Health Fitness Project
series of free 'Decision
Making & Stress
During February and March, RAMHP partnered with Highway
Management for
to Well and Gotcha4Life for the Tough Enough mental
Successful Businesses'
health fitness project in Narrabri. The six-week project aimed
workshops in eight towns
to increase mental health knowledge, reduce stigma around
in the Murrumbidgee area,
help-seeking behaviour and create a positive culture around
including Leeton, Hay,
proactively managing mental health
Boorowa and Lockhart, in
February and March 2021.
Hunter New England RAMHP Coordinator Letitia Cross played
a key role in the success of the Tough Enough project, which The workshops explored the effects of stress on decision
included a media and social media campaign, a community making and provided tips around making important decisions.
evening with Gus Worland from Gotcha4Life, targeted
Tomorrow Man/Woman workshops with Narrabri High
School and several local community sporting and community
groups, and education & training workshops.
|6 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021
General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Community Engagement Highlights – Compiled by the CRRMH Community Engagement team
New integrated RAMHP and CRRMH logo
A new integrated RAMHP logo was developed which includes the words “A program
of the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health”. The objective behind this
integrated logo is to communicate that RAMHP and the CRRMH are connected
entities, not two separate organisations. The new logo does not replace the original
RAMHP logo; it is a secondary logo that has been added to our suite of resources to
be used in certain circumstances and was developed with that need in mind.
Resource Copyright
During this quarter several of the RAMHP and CRRMH
resources were updated to indicate their copyright status under
the University of Newcastle. We continue to welcome other
organisations to work with us on adapting our resources to suit
their needs.
|7 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021
General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Online Connections – Compiled by Ashleigh Middleton and Lucy McEvoy
Table 1: Website Analytics 1st January – 31st March 2021
Website RAMHP You Got This Mate RAMHP eNewsletters
Link https://www.ramhp.com.au/ https://yougotthismate.com.au/ RAMHP released one
eNewsletter during this
Website 6,569 (-37%) 1,674 (+67.23%)
period.
Sessions
Top 5 Pages 1. Homepage – 3,241 views 1. Homepage – 759 views The February/March
2. Online and Phone Support – 749 views 2. Podcast - Alcohol & Other Drugs – 247 views edition, Let’s Talk:
3. Downloadable Resources – 474 views 3. HYG Quiz – 200 views Moving Forward to
4. Find a Coordinator – 418 views 4. Podcast - Men's Mental Health – 173 views Recovery, was delivered
5. About Us – 405 views 5. Take Action – 127 views to 2,097 recipients and
had an open rate of 25%.
New • As the NSW flood crisis ensued, RAMHP and • Addition of Dr Joanne Lawrence-Bourne's blog
Additions the CRRMH saw the need to develop a flood “For some men, not having kids really matters”
support page for the websites, and as such, under Research.
the ‘Drought Support’ tile on the website
home pages was amended to ‘Natural • Links to ‘Family Man’ and Mr Perfect added
Disasters’ and now encompasses links to under the website’s Industry section.
resources, information and support during
times of adversity with separate pages for
‘drought support’, ‘bushfire recovery’, ‘flood
support’ and ‘COVID-19 information’.
• Blog: What is wellbeing and why should I
care? By Aimee Makeham, RAMHP
Coordinator, Wagga Wagga
|8 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021
General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Media and Social Media Highlights – Compiled by Jocelyn Johnston and Ashleigh Middleton
Social Media Campaigns
Partner e-Newsletters
During Q1, RAMHP launched its new promotional video for You
Got This Mate. This video is featured in a targeted social media In this quarter RAMHP continued to contribute articles and content
campaign towards rural men and health professionals promoting to partners including:
the benefits of the website. The campaign will continue until June. • Rural Health Pro February e-newsletter
• Family Man Movember website
An additional campaign featuring Take Time contributor Kelly • Western NSW Health Research Network February e-newsletter
Foran ran during March. The story reached 16,500 people and led • Dairy NSW monthly e-newsletter - ‘The Milk Flow’
400 people to the Take Time website to read her story in full. • NSW Rural Women’s Network Facebook page
Editorial – RAMHP’s Tips on How to Have a Conversation Media Releases
This quarter the team also sent out the following media releases:
An Editorial ‘RAMHP’s Tips on
How to Have a Conversation’ was • Narrabri people are tough...but are they tough enough?
placed in the South Coast Guide Thursday, February 18, 2021
which was released in March
• RAMHP appoints new Coordinator based in Lismore
RAMHP's Tips on How to Have a
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Conversation
• Help us improve the mental health and wellbeing of rural
communities
Monday, February 8, 2021
Note: Examples of key media activity are presented in Table 1 on the following page. Please note this is a sample only. The full list for January
– March 2021 can be seen in Appendix A of the CRRMH Quarterly Report.
|9 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021
General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Media Highlights – Compiled by Jocelyn Johnston
Table 2: Overview of media Interactions
Date Media Outlet Topic Spokesperson Link
6.01.2021 Radio 2NM Hunter Setting Goals for 2021 RAMHP Coordinator Matt Milne Audio not available
Valley interviewed
20.01.2021 Sunraysia Daily Pooncarie vs Anabranch RAMHP Coordinator Jamie No link
Cricket match Kuerschner
27.01.2021 Tenterfield Star Access to health services RAMHP mentioned https://www.tenterfieldstar.com.au/story/7101906/saffi
n-urges-dirienzo-to-take-a-good-hard-look-at-local-
health-service-delivery/
28.01.2020 Men’s Health Forum on Drought, Bushfires, RAMHP Coordinator Drought, bushfires, covid 19 – how are rural men
Connected COVID 19 – How are Rural Andrew Daley presented coping? - YouTube
Men Coping?
29.01.2021 The Courier Mail, The Women's Day event to raise Melinda Schneider mentioned No link
Courier funds for Protea Place RAMHP as Ambassador
8.02.2021 ABC North Coast NSW DP Bushfire Recovery Officer - RAMHP Coordinator Audio not available
Ros Rogers retires Sam Osborne mentioned
9.02.2021 Radio 2NM Discussion on Self-Care, RAMHP Coordinator Matt Milne Audio not available
New Years resolutions interviewed
and mental health
17.02.2021 ABC New England Narrabri 'Toughen up' project RAMHP Coordinator Audio not available
North West Letitia Cross interviewed
Note this is a sample only – see Appendix A of the CRRMH January – March 2021 Quarterly Report for a full list
| 10 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Media Highlights – Compiled by Jocelyn Johnston
Table 2: Overview of media Interactions (continued)
Date Media Outlet Topic Spokesperson Link
23.02.2021 Narrabri Courier Narrabri 'Toughen up' project RAMHP Coordinator On file
Letitia Cross
23.02.2021 Narrabri Courier Tough Enough – Week 1 editorial RAMHP Coordinator Not available
Letitia Cross
23.02.2021 Grenfell Record, Gooloogong to Grenfell walk for a cause, RAMHP mentioned https://transition.meltwater.com/paywall/redir
Canowindra News, sign up now as beneficiary ect/m7U1zvgUsUEVEVtujp6BE8NbeYQ
Forbes Advocate
23.02.2021 Lithgow Mercury NSW retired cricket ambassadors RAMHP mentioned as https://transition.meltwater.com/paywall/redir
and current Big Bash League players to partner ect/5AGL-lYf47WMyaYdE_OQUnTHl9k
visit Lithgow – Baggy Blues
25.02.2021 Northern Star, The RAMHP Coordinator Alex RAMHP Coordinator On file
Daily Telegraph Grantham's appointment Letitia Cross quoted
25.02.2021 Lithgow Mercury NSW Baggy Blues talk RAMHP mentioned as https://transition.meltwater.com/paywall/redir
mental health with Lithgow District partner ect/NHH-VvItWbQEqEU_CTJ4pzwJ_aw
Cricket Association
26.02.2021 ABC Mid North Coast New RAMHP Role RAMHP Coordinator No link
Alex Grantham interviewed
4.03.2021 The Canowindra Walking with a cause RAMHP mentioned https://www.canowindraphoenix.com.au/walki
Phoenix ng-with-a-cause/
Note this is a sample only – see Appendix A of the CRRMH January – March 2021 Quarterly Report for a full list
| 11 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Media Highlights – Compiled by Jocelyn Johnston
Table 2: Overview of media Interactions (continued)
Date Media Outlet Topic Spokesperson Link
5.03.2021 The Vale Podcast Attendance at Landcare event at RAMHP Coordinator Not available
Euston Marie Kelly
12.03.2021 The Vale Podcast Announcing Toby Price event RAMHP Coordinator Not available
at Euston Easter Saturday Marie Kelly
13.03.2021 The Courier Mail, Hundreds turn out in support RAMHP Ambassador The Courier Mail
The Chronicle-Mail of Protea Place at International Melinda Schneider
Women’s Day fundraising
19.03.2021 The National Tribune, Orange City Council to host RAMHP mentioned https://www.orange.nsw.gov.au/orange-city-council-to-
Mirage News, Orange mental health round-table host-mental-health-round-table/
City Council
25.03.3031 Namoi Valley Comedian Damian Callinan to RAMHP mentioned https://transition.meltwater.com/paywall/redirect/btZFW4
Independent thrill Currabubula with comic hZi0OE4j1qwxrROjFSa0w
relief show in April
28.03.2021 Central Western Daily NSW Minister for Mental RAMHP mentioned https://transition.meltwater.com/paywall/redirect/hHPbTs
Health, Regional Youth FvxKMndKVInv51m74fLRo
and WOmen Bronnie Taylor to
meet in Orange
30.03.2021 The Guardian Race champ star guest RAMHP mentioned https://transition.meltwater.com/paywall/redirect/6s6kvW
Uc_SnQe7H6L19QnE7EY90
Note this is a sample only – see Appendix A of the CRRMH January – March 2021 Quarterly Report for a full list
| 12 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Social Media – Ashleigh Middleton and Lucy McEvoy
The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for RAMHP’s Facebook page.
Table 3: Overview of RAMHP’s Facebook Page Statistics, Jan – Mar 2021
Statistic Impact
94 new page likes were achieved during this period, Number of page likes increased by 3% over this quarter
bringing the total number of likes to 3,238
There were 42 posts published this quarter Publishing frequency decreased by 53% this quarter as compared with the previous
(October – December 2020) quarter. This decrease was an expected impact due to
staffing changes within the RAMHP management team as well as the CRRMH
(Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health) between the January – March 2021
period.
There were 8,838 post engagements this quarter Total engagements decreased significantly (-71%) this quarter, as compared to the
previous (October – December 2020) quarter. This is consistent with the increase in
the number of paid campaigns during the previous quarter.
Facebook posts during the Northern NSW Flood Crisis There was an increase in post engagement during the flood crisis.
reached 840 people with 57 post engagements
| 13 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Social Media – Ashleigh Middleton and Lucy McEvoy
The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for RAMHP’s Twitter page.
Table 4: Overview of RAMHP’s Twitter Page Statistics, Jan – Mar 2021
Statistic Impact
21 new followers were achieved during this period, bringing Number of followers increased by 2% this quarter
the total number to 719
There were 15 tweets published this quarter Publishing frequency decreased by 57% this quarter as compared with the previous
(October – December 2020) quarter. This decrease was an expected impact due to
staffing changes within the RAMHP management team as well as the CRRMH
(Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health) between the January – March 2021
period.
There were 231 post engagements this quarter Total engagements decreased by 29% this quarter as compared with the Oct – Dec
2020 period, which is consistent with a significant reduction in paid campaigns
during the Jan – Mar 2021 quarter
| 14 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Social Media – Ashleigh Middleton and Lucy McEvoy
The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for RAMHP’s Instagram page.
Table 5: Overview of RAMHP’s Instagram Page Statistics, Jan – Mar 2021
Statistic Impact
32 new followers were achieved during this period, bringing Number of followers increased by 5% this quarter
the total to 715
There were 16 posts published this quarter Publishing frequency decreased by 62% this quarter as compared with the previous
(October – December 2020) quarter. This decrease was an expected impact due to
staffing changes within the RAMHP management team as well as the CRRMH
(Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health) between the January – March 2021
period.
There were 291 post engagements this quarter Total post engagements decreased by 42% this quarter as compared with the Oct –
Dec 2020 period, which is consistent with a significant reduction in paid campaigns
during the Jan – Mar 2021 quarter.
| 15 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
General RAMHP Program Updates
RAMHP Social Media – Ashleigh Middleton and Lucy McEvoy
The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for RAMHP’s LinkedIn page.
Table 6: Overview of RAMHP’s LinkedIn Page Statistics, Jan – Mar 2021
Statistic Impact
32 new followers were achieved during this period, bringing Number of followers increased by 16% this quarter
the total to 186
There were 18 posts published this quarter Publishing frequency decreased this quarter. This decrease was an expected impact
due to staffing changes within the RAMHP management team as well as the
CRRMH (Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health) between the January –
March 2021 period.
There were 96 post engagements this quarter Total post engagements decreased by 26% this quarter as compared with the Oct –
Dec 2020 period, which is consistent with a significant reduction in paid campaigns
during the Jan – Mar 2021 quarter.
| 16 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP Data RAMHP Updates by
LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Considerations Program Component
Data Considerations
RAMHP Data and Evaluation – Corinna West and Nic Powell
The following pages in this report represent the data collected for Q1 2021 (January – March 2021) using the RAMHP App. There are a
number of considerations which must be taken into account when interpreting the results of this data. These include:
• Annual/personal leave taken by RAMHP Coordinators as well as vacant RAMHP Coordinator positions during the reporting period
may impact on their data presented in the Report. During this reporting period we had two Coordinator vacancies (Hunter New
England and Illawarra Shoalhaven) and one Coordinator on extended leave (Western).
• Population size and demography differs considerably in each of the LHDs covered by RAMHP Coordinators. RAMHP
Coordinators tailor their activities to cater to the priorities within their LHD. This must be taken into consideration when interpreting
the LHD comparative data.
• RAMHP data are collected by 20 different coordinators who may record their activities differently based on their background,
expertise and understanding.
• RAMHP Data and Evaluations Manager position vacant from March 2021, allows for potential variations in the methodology/analysis
of the data by the acting Data Analysts which may impact the data presented in the Report.
| 17 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
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LINK: How Many People Were Linked?
Chart 1: Number of Links Jan – Mar 2021, by Linkage Type
Note: The category ‘Unspecified’ was added to the Jan – Mar 2021 period to cover individuals who preferred not to identify who they were seeking assistance for.
• From January – March 2021, 408 people were linked to • Most links (n=141, 35%) were people seeking assistance
mental health support services or resources by RAMHP for someone else.
Coordinators. This is an increase of +1% compared to the
previous October – December 2020 quarter.
| 18 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
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LINK: How Did Linking Take Place?
Chart 2: Proportion of Links Jan – Mar 2021, by Method of Linkage
Note: (n=270). 138 cases were not included as they were group links i.e. when a number of people are linked at the same time for a specific issue.
• During January – March 2021, the largest number of links • A considerable proportion of linkages also occurred through
took place by phone or email contact between RAMHP organisations within the RAMHP network (n=42, 16%), as
Coordinators and a member of the community (n=66, 24%). In well as via direct contact with people in the community
the previous October – December 2020 quarter, the largest e.g. on the street or by chance (n=36, 13%).
number of links took place when RAMHP Coordinators
attended community events or meetings.
| 19 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
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LINK: How Did Linking Take Place
Table 7: Proportion of Links Jan – Mar 2021, by Method of Linkage & Local Health District
Hunter New Illawarra Mid North Nepean Blue
How linking took place Far West Murrumbidgee Northern Southern Western Total
England Shoalhaven Coast Mtns.
At RAMHP training 24% 16% 0% 8% 0% 0% 3% 10% 10% 10%
At a disaster related community event or
0% 2% 0% 23% 0% 0% 10% 10% 0% 6%
meeting (e.g. drought, fire)
At another type of community event or
12% 2% 0% 8% 0% 0% 4% 14% 15% 9%
meeting
Direct contact with the person in the
12% 16% 50% 8% 20% 0% 21% 4% 10% 13%
community (e.g. on the street, by chance)
Through an organisation in RAMHP's
8% 9% 0% 8% 0% 0% 17% 28% 15% 15%
network
Referral to RAMHP coordinator 0% 5% 0% 0% 0% 100% 24% 4% 2% 10%
Via Zoom or other conference platform 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 2% 1%
By phone or email contact with a
24% 48% 50% 23% 60% 0% 18% 12% 22% 24%
community member
At a community organisation or other
4% 0% 0% 8% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 1%
service
Other 16% 2% 0% 15% 20% 0% 4% 16% 22% 12%
TOTAL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Note: (n=270). 138 cases were not included as they were group links i.e. when a number of people are linked at the same time for a specific issue.
| 20 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
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LINK: What Symptoms or Issues Were RAMHP Coordinators Assisting With?
Chart 3: Symptoms and Issues Identified when Linking, Jan – Mar 2021
The issues or symptoms RAMHP Coordinators
assisted with are presented in chart 3 (left). More
than one issue or symptom can be selected for each
person linked (N=475).
The top 5 most common symptoms or issues
identified during linking were:
1. Disclosed, Known or Suspected Pre-existing
Mental Health Disorder (n=61).
2. Relationship concerns (e.g. relationship
breakdown, divorce, family discord, friendship
difficulties) (n=42)
3. Symptoms of an emerging mental health
disorder (e.g. psychotic disorders, bipolar
disorder, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders
etc) (n=37)
4. Trauma (e.g. sexual assault, military combat,
victim of crime, vicarious trauma) (n=35)
5. Bereavement (n=34)
| 21 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
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LINK: What Support or Resources Were Suggested by RAMHP Coordinators?
Chart 4: Number of Times a Type of Support or Resource was Suggested, Jan – Mar 2021
RAMHP Coordinators
often provide more
than one type of
support or resource
when they link
(N=423).
The three most
common support or
resources provided by
RAMHP Coordinators
were:
1. RAMHP
Coordinators
providing
strategies
2. Website
information, app,
online therapy or
e-mental health
3. GP.
| 22 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
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LINK: Coordinators’ Stories From Those We Help
I met a woman who had lost her husband at An RFS volunteer presented and told me he
new years eve during the fires. She was hadn't been managing well since the start of
feeling very distressed, finding it hard to the year. Whilst he had attempted to access
function and was unable to cope. I linked her support, he had not found it helpful. We
to services and also encouraged her to be explored what he thought would work for him
less hard on herself, and that her feelings and built on that. I encouraged him to speak
I worked with a young man who was
were a normal response. to his GP and recommended some online
the first responder to a work-related
resource and support options.
incident nearly a year ago. He was
unable to get the images of the
incident out of his head and reported
feeling unsupported by his employer. I
encouraged him to get support from
his GP and also recommended
A person in my professional network who was Phoenix Australia.
suffering domestic violence and as a result
suicidal ideation reached out. As a result of our I linked a Dairy farmer experiencing a
connection, she was linked to multiple services marital breakdown to a farm gate
including local mental health services and law counsellor. They are working through
enforcement for protection. Her response on mental health issues that his wife was
seeing me in the community "Thank you. If it I met a local osyter grower who threatening to leave him because of.
wasn’t for you and the people that worked with was impacted by the flood and
you I wouldn’t be where I am today...I wouldn’t was not coping financially. I
have been here at all". linked him to Rual Financial
Counselling Services.
| 23 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
TRAIN: How Much Training Was Delivered?
Chart 5: Number of Training Courses Delivered, by Course Type, Chart 6: Number of Training Participants, Jan – Mar 2021
Jan – Mar 2021
• From January – March 2021, 83 training courses were • The most common training courses delivered were Tailored
delivered by RAMHP Coordinators. This is a decrease of Training (n=25, 30%) and Short Presentations (n=17, 20%).
31% compared to the previous October – December 2020 quarter.
• On average each course contained 14.7 participants.
This decrease in training can be attributed to the annual leave
taken by RAMHP coordinators as well as vacant positions in the
January – March 2021 quarter. October is also Mental Health
month which is a huge focus for RAMHP and the Coordinators.
• RAMHP Coordinators delivered mental health training to 1,213
participants this quarter.
| 24 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
TRAIN: Who Did RAMHP Coordinators Train?
Chart 7: Number of Training Courses, Audience Type, Jan – Mar 2021
• Training courses were predominantly comprised of
community groups and organisations (n=14, 17%)
and general community members (n=13, 16%).
• Examples of mental health staff trained included
Hunter New England LHD, Temora Community
Mental Health Services, Northern NSW LHD and
Southern NSW LHD – Aboriginal MH Traineeship
Program Education.
Examples of Organisations Trained
• UNSW – Rural Clinical Schools
• Live Better
• Central West Family Support Group
• Bathurst Regional Council
• Department of Community and Justice
• Department of Sport and Recreation
• Rural Fire Service (RFS)
• Meat and Livestock Australia
• Action Learning Initiatives
• Mid Western Regional Council
• Narrabri Interagency
• Coomealla High School
• Meat and Livestock Australia
| 25 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021General RAMHP RAMHP Updates by
Data Considerations LINK TRAIN INFORM
Program Updates Program Component
INFORM: Which Audiences Were Reached Through Community Events?
Chart 8: Coordinator Attendance at Community Events, by Audience Type, Jan – Mar 2021
• RAMHP Coordinators attended 112 Community Events
between Jan – Mar 2021. This is a decrease of 21% as
compared with the previous October – December 2020
quarter.
• Most community events attended by RAMHP Coordinators
were for General Community (n=29, 26%) or Fire Related
(n=25, 22%).
• Fire Related events included Walcha Show Fire Recovery
Exhibition, Fire Up Cobargo, Nowendoc Fire Recovery Dinner
and Red Cross Bushfire Stories.
• We expect that the impact of the Northern NSW Floods will
likely be seen in the Community Events data for the following
Apr – June 2021 quarter, as the current Jan – Mar 2021
quarter was a time for crisis management and linking to
support.
• RAMHP Coordinators had direct contact with 1,493 visitors at
events.
| 26 Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Quarterly Report: January - March 2021APPENDICES
APPENDIX A:
Summary – Rural Adversity Mental Health Program Outcome Evaluation 2016 – 2020
Evaluation Purpose
This Outcome Evaluation Report is the final evaluation report for the funding period 2016 – 2020. The findings of this report will be used to assess the impact of
the program, the contribution of particular strategies and to make improvements.
Approach
A multi-method approach was used, producing quantitative and qualitative data from key stakeholders and a range of data sources.
Satisfaction Effectiveness
Key stakeholders were satisfied with RAMHP. RAMHP has made strong progress toward achieving program objectives.
“[The most valuable thing the RAMHP Coordinator did
was give me] incredibly relevant information relating to
The RAMHP the target group. Incredible resources that came to me
Coordinator role within the day of contact.” (RAMHP Survey participant)
94% 97% 11,499 people linked to
has been delivered
consistently across
NSW. 41,645 services or resources.
The top 3 services or resources
linked to were:
1. General Practitioners
2. Printed information
94% 77%
3. Website information, online
Of partner organisations rated Of RAMHP training participants were therapy or e-mental health
RAMHP’s role of connecting people satisfied with the training.
to services as valuable. Comprised of 41% who were
‘satisfied’ and 56% who are ‘very
satisfied’. LHD
Management
were satisfied
with all areas of
Of RAMHP training participants Of RAMHP training participants
“I believe everyone should program
agreed that the training had agreed that the training had made it
undertake such training, it would delivery and increased their awareness of
“Oh, [RAMHP’s linkage outcomes. RAMHP Coordinators developed more likely they would seek help if
greatly reduce stigma in the mental health services and they were concerned about their own
community making it more likely
people would seek help when it’s
service is] extremely
valuable because they 789 significant partnerships. resources. mental health.
needed for themselves or a loved provide information I The top 3 sectors partnered with
one.” (RAMHP Training Follow-Up wouldn’t otherwise be were:
able to get anywhere Partner
Survey respondent) organisations 1. Community groups or
else.” (Population Sector organisations
Representative) and community
52% 79%
representatives 2. Mental health organisations
indicated high 3. Government or council
levels of praise
for RAMHP’s “The training was great. Being in a rural area
value and we have many clients who have been affected
“It was great to speak to [RAMHP Coordinator]. effectiveness. by the drought. I now feel equipped to help
She was friendly, clear, good listener, came up someone should they confide in me about their
with ideas and followed through with resources. mental health. I know the resources available
Fantastic!” (RAMHP Survey participant) in our local area and what is the appropriate Of RAMHP training participants Of RAMHP training participants had
response to different situations.” (RAMHP had asked or spoken with done more to look after their own
someone about their mental mental health two months after
Training Follow-Up Survey respondent)
health two months after training. training.Appropriateness Sustainability
RAMHP’s strategies, activities and outputs were appropriate to the The main factors supporting program sustainability were demand for RAMHP
needs of rural and remote communities in NSW. services and strong relationships with communities and other stakeholders.
Key program risks relate to funding uncertainty and the ability of RAMHP to adapt
to COVID-19 and other unforeseen disasters.
“I think the program is in the best shape it has been. The strong team at
1,967 training
courses delivered to
87% 89% the Centre, under Tessa's leadership, we have seen massive
improvements in the way we operate. It has meant we have a strong,
evidence-based state-wide program with a great profile and good track
41,991 people. record. As a team we feel well supported and we are clear in our
purpose and how we execute this. The longer the funding period the
613 Tailored Training better as it allows us to plan and stay engaged with our communities.”
courses developed (RAMHP Coordinator)
and delivered. Of RAMHP training participants Of RAMHP training participants
viewed the training as useful for viewed the training as useful for
their role or job two months after their personal life two months after
training. training.
“They’re local, they know the place,
Conclusion
they know the players, they know how RAMHP has performed strongly in all areas of service delivery producing outcomes
things work and they can relate to the that benefit individuals, communities, workplaces, community organisations and the
Expansion of RAMHP’s individual struggles because they’ve
mental health system in rural and remote NSW.
communication been involved in them themselves.”
capacity resulted in a (LHD Director, General Manager or
Manager)
Main Recommendations
wide variety of program
resources available in 1. Increase partnerships with currently under-represented sectors e.g. employment-
many formats to reach related organisations (see main report for full list).
“Other service providers actually are a
and engage different little bit pushy in what they provide and 2. Use feedback from RAMHP training participants and RAMHP Coordinators to
groups. what they won’t provide, whereas I’ve improve training.
always found RAMHP to be very flexible 3. Expand the reach of RAMHP’s training to less represented organisational sectors
Direct contact with and open and willing to look outside of and community members e.g. sports (see main report for full list).
37,135 people at what they provide to see if they can meet 4. Clarify the program’s disaster response role and continue to explore how to manage
2,231 community what the community is asking for.”
(Health Sector Representative)
the impact of disasters on program capacity.
events. 5. Continually innovate including determining new ways to reach people with mental
health information and creative delivery of all program pillars (linking, partnerships,
26 different state-wide community events and training).
events attended.
6. Continue to work toward ensuring that program activities are inclusive of all
demographic groups in rural and remote NSW including the elderly, unemployed
Unintended Impacts people and Aboriginal people.
The main unexpected impacts of the program were: 7. Continue to explore additional sources of program income.
1. Wider than intended impact on external organisations’ activities, services and 8. Continue to monitor RAMHP Coordinators’ wellbeing, workloads and support
events. requirements.
2. An increased role and profile in disaster-response due to the occurrence of 9. Increase LHD management and executive-level awareness, support and promotion
severe and prolonged drought, floods, record-breaking fires, environmental of RAMHP.
chemical contamination and global pandemic during this funding period. 10. Investigate further ways to respond creatively to the impact of COVID-19 on program
3. RAMHP’s longevity providing a consistent service in a changing context. activities.
4. Higher than expected demand for RAMHP resources. 11. Continue to invest in (and improve) comprehensive program evaluation to inform
5. High levels of recognition through receiving awards. strategic program planning and promote program achievements.If you have any questions regarding the content of this Report, please contact:
Jeff Fuller
Program Manager, RAMHP
Ph: 0436 029 699
Email: jeff.fuller@newcastle.edu.auYou can also read
