Despite the many positive aspects of living in remote, rural, and regional communities, there are also distinct challenges associated with distance and isolation, which place these communities at greater risk of poorer mental health outcomes. This is where philanthropy can play an important enabling role.

In a Good Place is a national philanthropic grant program providing support for community-driven initiatives that reduce social isolation, increase social participation and connectedness, and increase help-seeking of members living in remote, rural and regional communities at risk of, or are experiencing, mental health issues.

The program supports rural communities in their efforts to strengthen the mental health of at-risk or vulnerable people via services or activities that are preventative or responsive in nature and designed to engage those less likely or unable to participate in mental, social and emotional wellbeing activities. The program primarily supports approaches that are non-clinical, community-based, and accessible.

Maintaining good mental health is a multi-faceted and lifelong process. The In a Good Place program has provided an insight into the mental health challenges in rural communities as well as the unique, innovative localized responses different communities have adopted.

Local communities are well-placed to identify local needs, local opportunities and lead local responses. In a Good Place provides small, flexible grant funding to enable rural communities to action their ideas and solutions.

And action them they have! With a little bit of philanthropic help, In a Good Place projects have actively contributed to building healthier, resilient and better-connected communities. The presentation will provide positive examples of rural communities striving to be in a good place by actively supporting and promoting mental health awareness, and building individual and community resilience, despite the challenges.