Panel Presentation: Digital Care That Actually Reaches People: Telehealth, AI and Recovery-Oriented Models for Rural Mental Health
Tracks
Prince
Monarch
Jacaranda
Karrie Webb
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
| 8:40 AM - 9:40 AM |
Overview
John Harper, Founder, Mental Health Initiative and Podcast Series, Mate Helping Mate
A/Prof Michael Clements, Board Member and Chair, RACGP Rural Faculty
Sheriel Hughes, Branch Manager, National Program Delivery, Australian Digital Health Agency
Presenter
A/Prof Michael Clements
Board Member and Chair
RACGP Rural Faculty, Multi-Site Practice Owner
Panel Presentation: Digital Care That Actually Reaches People: Telehealth, AI and Recovery-Oriented Models for Rural Mental Health
Presentation Overview
Despite significant investment in digital mental health tools and telehealth infrastructure, rural and remote Australians continue to face unequal access to timely, quality care. This panel moves beyond the technology itself to ask the harder questions: what is actually working in practice, for whom, and at what cost? Bringing together clinical, policy, lived experience and research perspectives, panellists will examine how telehealth models are being implemented on the ground, where AI holds genuine promise in mental health care versus where the risks outweigh the benefits, and how recovery-oriented care for people with severe mental illness can be better designed and delivered in low-resource rural contexts. The panel will also address practical barriers including connectivity, workforce readiness, digital literacy, and the equity gap that risks emerging between metropolitan and rural AI adoption. The session will be oriented toward what the conference itself calls the core question: what works, where it matters.
Biography
A/Prof Michael Clements is an experienced Townsville based General Practitioner and multi-site practice owner with a background in health leadership and clinical and corporate governance. A/Prof Clements has accrued a wide variety of skills and special interests in his time with the Royal Australian Air Force and then with QLD Health as Director of Medical Services at Ingham Hospital before opening his private practices in Townsville while concurrently working for the QLD Rural Generalist Training Pathway as an advisor. Having worked in rural, remote and overseas clinical environments during and after his fellowship training Michael now gets his ‘rural fix’ by flying himself and other clinicians to remote towns in the Gulf of Carpentaria delivering GP clinics. Michael continues to work with the QLD Rural Generalist Pathway and is on the Board of RACGP as the Rural Chair.
Mr John Harper OAM
Founder
Mate Helping Mate
Panel Presentation: Digital Care That Actually Reaches People: Telehealth, AI and Recovery-Oriented Models for Rural Mental Health
Presentation Overview
Despite significant investment in digital mental health tools and telehealth infrastructure, rural and remote Australians continue to face unequal access to timely, quality care. This panel moves beyond the technology itself to ask the harder questions: what is actually working in practice, for whom, and at what cost? Bringing together clinical, policy, lived experience and research perspectives, panellists will examine how telehealth models are being implemented on the ground, where AI holds genuine promise in mental health care versus where the risks outweigh the benefits, and how recovery-oriented care for people with severe mental illness can be better designed and delivered in low-resource rural contexts. The panel will also address practical barriers including connectivity, workforce readiness, digital literacy, and the equity gap that risks emerging between metropolitan and rural AI adoption. The session will be oriented toward what the conference itself calls the core question: what works, where it matters.
Biography
John Harper OAM is a passionate mental health advocate and the founder of Mate Helping Mate, a grassroots initiative dedicated to improving mental wellbeing in rural and remote communities. A retired wheat and sheep farmer from the Riverina, John understands firsthand the wellbeing and health challenges faced by people living regionally in Australia.
Mate Helping Mate encourages, awareness, prevention, and early intervention for mental health issues through peer support via the actioning of Australian mateship and community spirit.
Recognised by Paul Harris Fellowships, a Pride of Australia Medal and awarded in 2024 the Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to community health and wellbeing, John remains deeply committed to his mission. He is proud to be “an ordinary Aussie bloke from the bush” who simply wants to make a positive difference.
John’s expertise is widely respected. He has collaborated with leading mental health organisations Beyond Blue, Black Dog Institute, Lifeline, and Suicide Prevention Australia, and advised State and Federal Governments through various initiatives such as the National Drought Taskforce. His advocacy champions lived experience, the value of grassroots knowledge, community-driven solutions and ensuring that rural and remote voices are heard in national mental health strategies.
Sheriel Hughes
Branch Manager
National Program Delivery, Australian Digital Health Agency
Panel Presentation: Digital Care That Actually Reaches People: Telehealth, AI and Recovery-Oriented Models for Rural Mental Health
Presentation Overview
Despite significant investment in digital mental health tools and telehealth infrastructure, rural and remote Australians continue to face unequal access to timely, quality care. This panel moves beyond the technology itself to ask the harder questions: what is actually working in practice, for whom, and at what cost? Bringing together clinical, policy, lived experience and research perspectives, panellists will examine how telehealth models are being implemented on the ground, where AI holds genuine promise in mental health care versus where the risks outweigh the benefits, and how recovery-oriented care for people with severe mental illness can be better designed and delivered in low-resource rural contexts. The panel will also address practical barriers including connectivity, workforce readiness, digital literacy, and the equity gap that risks emerging between metropolitan and rural AI adoption. The session will be oriented toward what the conference itself calls the core question: what works, where it matters.
Biography
Sheriel Hughes is a strategic program delivery leader in digital health and the Branch Manager, National Program Delivery at the Australian Digital Health Agency. She drives national programs that translate Government priorities into scalable delivery outcomes, improving access to care —particularly for rural and regional communities.
Drawing on a strong background in business transformation at Services Australia, Sheriel brings expertise in data governance, program delivery, and information management. Known for her strategic, collaborative, and empathetic leadership, she is passionate about designing innovative, connected health solutions that enhance consumer, clinical and system outcomes, enabling a connected healthcare system for all Australians.
