Overview

Editors:

Darryl Maybery
Monash University, VIC

Grace Brown
Monash University, VIC

Richard Pugh
Keele University, UK

Emilia E Martinez-Brawley
Arizona State University, USA

A special double issue of the Rural Society journal published in association with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Mental health presents some big issues for many rural and regional centres, not the least due to lack of resources and services, and the degree of other disadvantage that is present
Bob Lonne, BSocWk, PhD
National President of Australian Association of Social Workers
Professor of Social Work, Queensland University of Technology

Focus on mental health - as a health and social issue - has increased, with the community at large, government, service providers, practitioners and researchers, concerned about its incidence. This is compounded by lack of access to services and care, and uncertainty about how best to prevent and respond to the distress caused for individuals, families and communities.

Regional, rural and remote communities face significantly greater economic and social disadvantage in comparison to their urban counterparts, as well as decreased access to quality care services and specialised help. The  impact of and response to drought in Australian rural communities is also a key factor effecting mental health. In addition to extensive social, demographic and economic change, climate change, peak oil and peak food conditions will also impact disproportionately on the mental health of rural community members.

While the causes of deteriorating mental health are many and varied, more knowledge is needed about how rural communities, families and individuals can respond positively, build resilience at the macro and micro levels, and promote social, environmental and economic sustainability.

What does our research and practice indicate for economic policy, health, administration and educational services delivery which are required to meet address the mental health symptoms and consequences of inequitable conditions in rural communities?

This Special Issue examines potential strategies to lessen the negative impacts on the mental and social wellbeing of rural communities and is important reading for government, service providers, practitioners and researchers, concerned about the peculiar challenges faced in rural settings. The varying views presented in this collection of papers, including research from different countries provide interesting reading but also quite different perspectives and challenges for rural social work across the world.