Men, Masculinity and Community Connection: Regional Pathways Inclusive Mental Health Reform - Bundaberg and Beyond
Tracks
Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 12:10 PM - 12:40 PM |
Overview
Jo Leveritt & Mx Jason Scadden-Rushton, Wide Bay
Advocacy Inc
Presenter
Ms Jo Leveritt
CEO
Wide Bay Advocacy Inc
Men, Masculinity and Community Connection: Regional Pathways Inclusive Mental Health Reform - Bundaberg and Beyond
Presentation Overview
This collaborative presentation examines how gender, geography and community leadership intersect to shape men's mental health engagement in regional Queensland. Drawing on Jason Scadden-Rushton's doctoral research,
"Exploring the Experiences of Men as Social Work Users and Providers in Remote and Regional Queensland", and Jo Leveritt's practitioner-advocate perspective, the session bridges academic evidence with grassroots practice to propose inclusive, place-based mental health reform.
The research identifies systemic barriers preventing men in regional areas from accessing mental health support, including gendered help-seeking patterns, trust deficits and the compounding effects of geographic isolation. Five key insights emerge: services are not gender-neutral; trust develops through shared identity; masculinity is contextual; geography amplifies exclusion; and meaningful reform requires both systemic and relational change.
Leveritt's community leadership experience demonstrates how regional settings can translate research into actionable advocacy. Her work illustrates the importance of cross-sector collaboration, trauma-informed practice, and intersectional approaches that link women's and men's health initiatives. By centring visibility, mentorship and culturally relevant communication, grassroots partnerships can build community trust and engage traditionally underserved populations in mental health services.
Together, the presenters propose a Regional Innovation Framework, a replicable model for gender-sensitive, trauma-informed mental health practice in regional contexts. By demonstrating how communities can co-design solutions responsive to men's and women's lived experiences, the presentation provides practical pathways for local, national and international mental health reform. The regional approach presented offers evidence that community-driven innovation can inform broader systemic change in mental health service design.
Three Key Learnings
1. Mental health services are not gender-neutral. Men in regional areas face distinct barriers to help-seeking that require intentional, gender-sensitive service design and workforce training.
2. Trust builds through shared identity and context. Effective engagement in regional settings depends on relationships and understanding how masculinity and geography shape access to care.
3. Community-driven partnerships enable systemic change. Cross-sector collaboration between advocacy, research and practice can translate evidence into actionable mental health reform at local, national and international levels.
"Exploring the Experiences of Men as Social Work Users and Providers in Remote and Regional Queensland", and Jo Leveritt's practitioner-advocate perspective, the session bridges academic evidence with grassroots practice to propose inclusive, place-based mental health reform.
The research identifies systemic barriers preventing men in regional areas from accessing mental health support, including gendered help-seeking patterns, trust deficits and the compounding effects of geographic isolation. Five key insights emerge: services are not gender-neutral; trust develops through shared identity; masculinity is contextual; geography amplifies exclusion; and meaningful reform requires both systemic and relational change.
Leveritt's community leadership experience demonstrates how regional settings can translate research into actionable advocacy. Her work illustrates the importance of cross-sector collaboration, trauma-informed practice, and intersectional approaches that link women's and men's health initiatives. By centring visibility, mentorship and culturally relevant communication, grassroots partnerships can build community trust and engage traditionally underserved populations in mental health services.
Together, the presenters propose a Regional Innovation Framework, a replicable model for gender-sensitive, trauma-informed mental health practice in regional contexts. By demonstrating how communities can co-design solutions responsive to men's and women's lived experiences, the presentation provides practical pathways for local, national and international mental health reform. The regional approach presented offers evidence that community-driven innovation can inform broader systemic change in mental health service design.
Three Key Learnings
1. Mental health services are not gender-neutral. Men in regional areas face distinct barriers to help-seeking that require intentional, gender-sensitive service design and workforce training.
2. Trust builds through shared identity and context. Effective engagement in regional settings depends on relationships and understanding how masculinity and geography shape access to care.
3. Community-driven partnerships enable systemic change. Cross-sector collaboration between advocacy, research and practice can translate evidence into actionable mental health reform at local, national and international levels.
Biography
Jo Leveritt is a human rights lawyer and social justice advocate who founded Wide Bay Advocacy and Bundaberg Law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Graduate Certificate in Family and Domestic Violence Practice from CQUniversity. Jo leads volunteer lawyers and law students delivering weekly pro bono legal clinics and launched the Steps Forward program supporting women and children experiencing family violence. She was awarded CQUniversity's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year 2026 for her social justice work. Jo contributes regular advocacy columns to regional newspapers and serves on community boards advancing justice in regional Queensland.
Mx Jason Scadden-Rushton
Senior Mental Health Clinician
Wide Bay Advocacy Inc
Men, Masculinity and Community Connection: Regional Pathways Inclusive Mental Health Reform - Bundaberg and Beyond
Presentation Overview
This collaborative presentation examines how gender, geography and community leadership intersect to shape men's mental health engagement in regional Queensland. Drawing on Jason Scadden-Rushton's doctoral research,
"Exploring the Experiences of Men as Social Work Users and Providers in Remote and Regional Queensland", and Jo Leveritt's practitioner-advocate perspective, the session bridges academic evidence with grassroots practice to propose inclusive, place-based mental health reform.
The research identifies systemic barriers preventing men in regional areas from accessing mental health support, including gendered help-seeking patterns, trust deficits and the compounding effects of geographic isolation. Five key insights emerge: services are not gender-neutral; trust develops through shared identity; masculinity is contextual; geography amplifies exclusion; and meaningful reform requires both systemic and relational change.
Leveritt's community leadership experience demonstrates how regional settings can translate research into actionable advocacy. Her work illustrates the importance of cross-sector collaboration, trauma-informed practice, and intersectional approaches that link women's and men's health initiatives. By centring visibility, mentorship and culturally relevant communication, grassroots partnerships can build community trust and engage traditionally underserved populations in mental health services.
Together, the presenters propose a Regional Innovation Framework, a replicable model for gender-sensitive, trauma-informed mental health practice in regional contexts. By demonstrating how communities can co-design solutions responsive to men's and women's lived experiences, the presentation provides practical pathways for local, national and international mental health reform. The regional approach presented offers evidence that community-driven innovation can inform broader systemic change in mental health service design.
"Exploring the Experiences of Men as Social Work Users and Providers in Remote and Regional Queensland", and Jo Leveritt's practitioner-advocate perspective, the session bridges academic evidence with grassroots practice to propose inclusive, place-based mental health reform.
The research identifies systemic barriers preventing men in regional areas from accessing mental health support, including gendered help-seeking patterns, trust deficits and the compounding effects of geographic isolation. Five key insights emerge: services are not gender-neutral; trust develops through shared identity; masculinity is contextual; geography amplifies exclusion; and meaningful reform requires both systemic and relational change.
Leveritt's community leadership experience demonstrates how regional settings can translate research into actionable advocacy. Her work illustrates the importance of cross-sector collaboration, trauma-informed practice, and intersectional approaches that link women's and men's health initiatives. By centring visibility, mentorship and culturally relevant communication, grassroots partnerships can build community trust and engage traditionally underserved populations in mental health services.
Together, the presenters propose a Regional Innovation Framework, a replicable model for gender-sensitive, trauma-informed mental health practice in regional contexts. By demonstrating how communities can co-design solutions responsive to men's and women's lived experiences, the presentation provides practical pathways for local, national and international mental health reform. The regional approach presented offers evidence that community-driven innovation can inform broader systemic change in mental health service design.
Biography
Jason Scadden-Rushton is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, senior clinician, and doctoral researcher with over 30 years’ experience across community services, leadership, and public mental health systems. Based in regional Queensland, his work focuses on trauma, coercive control, men’s help-seeking, and ethical service design.
