A novel approach to workforce development is imperative to tackle the scarcity of mental health professionals in rural and remote Australia; this was a challenge the National Rural and Remote Suicide Prevention Program (NRRSPP) had to address. To help address this workforce shortage, our program aimed to empower skilled nurses and social workers transitioning post-COVID to undergo upskilling and retraining in mental health, bridging critical service gaps in rural communities. This key feature was fundamental as most hired clinicians had considered leaving the workforce altogether before joining the team.

Our program extends its support to Aboriginal wellness workers and community members eager to contribute to mental health support through the upskilling in cert IV in Mental Health and Drugs and Alcohol. Through structured pathways to credentialing, accreditation support, and specialised training, we're cultivating a sustainable workforce deeply rooted in local expertise. Seasoned mental health nurses with credentialing oversee and provide clinical guidance, ensuring that the care delivered is of the highest quality. The active involvement of the community underscores their dedication to mental health support in their areas.

Our success is underpinned by a robust support framework for clinicians, including funded clinical supervision, study leave, educational opportunities, and ongoing professional development. Furthermore, we prioritise community resilience by offering free mental health education programs that reach rural and remote regions. Our goal here is to diminish stigma and promote help-seeking behaviours.

Our tangible achievements highlight our progress: five nurses are advancing on credentialing pathways, two social workers are on the pathway to accreditation, three Aboriginal wellness workers are now equipped with mental health service skills, and two team members are upskilled in drug and alcohol counselling. Notably, all these individuals reside in rural areas of NSW. This comprehensive approach addresses workforce shortages and leverages community resilience in mental health care delivery.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Innovative workforce development through empowering existing professionals living in rural communities with upskilling opportunities increases the skilled workforce in rural communities.
2. Employing non-clinical individuals living in rural and remote communities and supporting them to upskill in mental health is a solid community capacity-building initiative that will build a workforce that will stay and service the community and improve job prospects.
3. A robust support framework for clinicians is crucial in sustaining workforce development efforts. Providing structured and supportive work environments where clinicians practice safely, feel valued and feel supported by their employer reduces turnover and increases job satisfaction.