Barriers and Enabling Factors for Rural Men’s Mental Health in Australia: A Scoping Review
Tracks
Room - Stanley B
| Friday, November 10, 2023 |
| 9:20 AM - 9:40 AM |
Overview
Dr Biswajit Banik, Federation University Australia and Manna Institute
Speaker
Dr Biswajit Banik
Lecturer and Research Fellow
Federation University Australia and Manna Institute
Barriers and Enabling Factors for Rural Men’s Mental Health in Australia: A Scoping Review
Abstract
Background: The mental health and well-being of men in rural and regional (RR) Australia is concerning because of high suicide rates and low engagement with mental health services. Barriers to accessing services such as physical, individual, financial, and environmental have been explored in the literature as predictors which may influence RR men’s access to health care.
Objective: This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of both the barriers and the enabling factors that influence RR men’s mental health and wellbeing in Australia.
Methods: A systematic search was performed using six electronic databases including Google scholar, PUBMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL complete, Psych Info and EBSCO Prior. The key words were identified for the easy accessibility of literature review articles that yielded 353 results during the period of 2012 to 2022. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria These articles included all the search terms such as barriers, facilitators, rural and regional men, and Australia
Result: The barriers, from the supply side, were long waiting lists, limited opening hours, no afterhours services, less trained professionals, lack of referral networks, travel time, cost of services and non-availability of counsellors for mental health in RR areas. Demand-side factors that contributed to limited health service seeking included lack of knowledge and awareness of mental health and wellbeing, inadequate health literacy, substance use, stigma and embarrassment, and views associated with social norms of masculinity. Some studies identified factors that enabled access to mental health services, including increased community awareness of mental health and wellbeing and participation in activities leading to wellness, adequate guidance by health professionals, continuity of care, and availability of online and drop-in sessions.
Conclusion: This review identified multiple barriers and challenges, and also identified potential enabling factors which could improve men’s engagement with mental health services in RR areas.
Objective: This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of both the barriers and the enabling factors that influence RR men’s mental health and wellbeing in Australia.
Methods: A systematic search was performed using six electronic databases including Google scholar, PUBMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL complete, Psych Info and EBSCO Prior. The key words were identified for the easy accessibility of literature review articles that yielded 353 results during the period of 2012 to 2022. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria These articles included all the search terms such as barriers, facilitators, rural and regional men, and Australia
Result: The barriers, from the supply side, were long waiting lists, limited opening hours, no afterhours services, less trained professionals, lack of referral networks, travel time, cost of services and non-availability of counsellors for mental health in RR areas. Demand-side factors that contributed to limited health service seeking included lack of knowledge and awareness of mental health and wellbeing, inadequate health literacy, substance use, stigma and embarrassment, and views associated with social norms of masculinity. Some studies identified factors that enabled access to mental health services, including increased community awareness of mental health and wellbeing and participation in activities leading to wellness, adequate guidance by health professionals, continuity of care, and availability of online and drop-in sessions.
Conclusion: This review identified multiple barriers and challenges, and also identified potential enabling factors which could improve men’s engagement with mental health services in RR areas.
Biography
Biswajit Banik is a medical doctor and public health academic works as a lecturer at the Institute of Health and Wellbeing (IHW), Federation University Australia. He teaches Public Health programs as lead course coordinator and supervises HDR students. He is also appointed as a Research Fellow by the Manna Institute, Regional Australia Mental Health Research and Training Institute, a project led by the University of New England. Biswajit is trained in quantitative and qualitative methodologies and have capacity to examine various epidemiological study designs and hands-on research experience on sensitive topics such as sexual health, mental health involving priority populations.
