District Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, witnesses a surge in mental health (MH) issues and suicides among its youth. Limited research in remote areas and the absence of national statistics makes it difficult to grasp the full extent of suicidal behaviors. Inadequate MH support and preventive measures leaves a vulnerable demographic at a heightened risk of suicide attempts. Project Dareecha adapted and contextualized the Zero Suicide approach for its implementation in school-settings to leverage existing resources and build local workforce capacity for enhanced MH service provision, aiming to test its feasibility and acceptability. To foster emotional awareness, empower individuals to cope, and motivate them to seek MH support, 30 school principals and 450 parents were engaged in Arts-based methodologies sessions prior to students’ MH and suicide risk screening. Evidence-informed training was provided to 80 MH staff on suicide risk identification, suicide-specific clinical interventions, and care management plan. A total of 1301 students (M=16.11, SD=1.64) in 15 high school and colleges were screened using PHQ-9 and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The screening data indicates 15.2% of total screened population at risk of suicide, 10% of which were at high-risk (n=131) and 5.2% at moderate risk (n=68). Students with severe depression were 16 times more likely to consider lifetime suicide methods and 17 times more likely to think about means of attempting suicide in the past month, compared to non-depressed peers. Individuals at high-risk of suicide reported having a history of family depression, experiencing traumatic event, suicide attempt by a family member, and using alcohol/drugs. For strengthening access to MH care through systematic referral strategy, data depicts positive trajectory in students' adherence to therapy sessions (79%). Based on the risk-assessment and subsequent re-screening, approximately 75% of students experienced a reduction in their risk level to moderate or low, underscoring effectiveness of ZS related interventions.

The floods of 2022 in Pakistan, triggered by excessive rains in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan have led to the widespread displacement and infrastructure damage. Over 33 million people were significantly affected, experiencing loss of lives and livestock, facing challenges such as homelessness, limited access to clean water and other essential resources, disrupted health services, uncertainty about the future, displacement from familiar surroundings, and concerns about the safety of loved ones, causing extreme psychological distress and other mental health challenges. Additionally, the disruption of community networks and support systems further intensifies the mental health burden on flood victims. Therefore, we proposed a strategy to screen flood victims for mental health and provide them the access to quality psychological services through telehealth model. These services were coupled with other medical aid provided during mobile health camps, alongside community-based mobilization and sensitization activities for building awareness among local people. Based on the rapid assessment findings, six high-risk district of Sindh (Khairpur, Nausheroferoz and Jacobabad) and Balochistan (Lasbela, Jafferabad and Naseerbad) were selected. A total of 1372 (Mean age=34.88, SD=10.10) people were screened using PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PTSD Checklist (Civilian Version), where females (70%) were in high proportion as compared to males (30%). The results revealed that alarmingly 15.5% (n=212) of participants screened positive for PTSD, while most other cases were for moderate to severe depression and anxiety, indicating the enduring psychological impact of flooding as a traumatic event. It was found that PTSD has a strong positive correlation with depression (r = 0.63, p = 0.01) and anxiety (r = 0.64, p = 0.01) among flood-affectees. During mobile health camps, trained female health workers provided brief lay counselling services to those experiencing intense psychological issues following the screening process, while critical cases were referred (n=251) to professional mental health services.

The unique challenges of farming including unpredictable environmental conditions, and economic pressures and access to health services make addressing the health and wellbeing needs of farmers complex but it is vital that this cohort are able to access appropriate resources to support the wellbeing & productivity of individuals and farming enterprises.

The "Mind Maintenance Toolkit" developed by the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) is an innovative, tailored online module series designed specifically to address the wellbeing needs of Australian farmers and encourage self-efficacy. The resource was developed based on content previously delivered in face-to-face workshops and a pilot testing period and evaluation conducted to gain feedback.

The "Mind Maintenance Toolkit" consists of a series of 8 self-paced, online educational modules containing a combination of written content, videos, worksheets, exercises and further reading. The modules take approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed anytime and are designed to be standalone but also linked to increase context.

The pilot program had participants from diverse farming backgrounds, as well as agricultural service providers and included pre and post completion evaluation to measure change in mental health and wellbeing awareness and self-reported practice change and access to resources. Participants were invited to complete a phone interview to gather qualitative data about the toolkit’s usability, relevance, and impact on participant mental wellbeing.

The "Mind Maintenance Toolkit" is anticipated to be a valuable resource in supporting farmers' mental health and wellbeing by addressing the barriers of access to services (distance and time) and providing proactive simple tools to understand and support wellbeing. The outcomes of this pilot program will inform the ongoing development of targeted wellbeing resources specifically tailored to the agricultural community.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Content needs to incorporate a varied selection of formats to be accessible to all users
2. Content needs to be engaging and uplifting when engagement and participation is voluntary and self-directed
3. The inclusion of animated videos helps to break down challenging topics into a simple and easy to digest format for all learning styles

The National Centre for Farmer Health research team and facilitators have extensive experience in evidence-based prevention of work-related mental health risks within the farming context. Through collaboration with farmers and industry stakeholders, we have gained a clear understanding of mental health risks and co-designed practical strategies and resources to mitigate and prevent these risks effectively.

In response to increased interest in the farming community about the importance of being proactive about mental health, the NCFH team delivered workshops to western Victorian farmer groups.

The eight pilot workshops challenged farmer participants to think of the farm as a workplace and highlight practical opportunities to proactively prevent risks to mental health for themselves, their families, and their farm workers. The workshops are solution focussed and interactive using several new short, animated videos and relevant farmer case studies. Participants were able to set clear goals to address work related risks to mental health and enhance their work systems. These frequently focus on improving planning and communication within their farm businesses as a way of reducing stress, frustration and inefficiencies.

In addition, the sessions build awareness of relevant NCFH planning tools (Steering Straight), resources (Managing Stress on the Farm booklet and Campfire podcasts), and mental health support services available.

The NCFH team collaborated with industry and community groups, as well as local community champions and rural health services to encourage farmers to attend. The workshops also fostered social connection by offering participants a shared meal, thus fostering ongoing discussion, and building the social connections that are so protective of farmer mental health.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Creating a mentally healthy workplace is an important part of every farm business but is easily overlooked.
2. Partnering with existing groups and networks aids recruitment and workshop participation as well as enhancing extremely important social connection opportunities
3. Inclusion of solution-focused exercises provides participants with tangible and relevant outcomes that they can implement immediately and validates the time they spend away from the farm business to attend the workshop.

The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) developed and delivered a specialised training workshop for mental health professionals within the Western Victorian Primary Healthcare Network (WVPHN) catchment. This workshop focused on three key areas; (i) understanding specific challenges and stressors faced by farmers (ii) understanding farming community culture and values, (iii) cultural competence to more effectively engage with farming populations. By focusing on these elements, the initiative aimed to enhance farming community wellbeing and resilience and strengthen the overall mental health support system in the region. The initiative was initially marketed to mental health professionals working in regions impacted by the flood events of 2022 and later opened up to a national and broader professional audience.

The training content was developed by a psychologist drawing on peer-review research, curriculum materials from Deakin University’s Agricultural Health and Medicine training and NCFH’s education and service delivery expertise.

The 60-minute interactive online workshop featured case studies and videos with topics covering: farming as a career and identity, flow-on effect of poor farmer health and farm-related factors that contribute to poor mental health and suicide in farming populations. A resource booklet was distributed to participants in PDF and hard copy format, offering detailed exploration of these topics and links to further resources. Workshop evaluation was conducted via pre and post surveys, gathering quantitative and qualitative data to gain insights and inform future training.

Participants joined from 5 different states and occupations included Counsellors, Peer Workers, Psychologists, Social Workers, Mental Health Nurses, Suicide Prevention Coordinators. Non-mental health professional roles included Marketing Coordinator, Health Promotion /Research Officer, Corporate Partnerships- Mental Health Counselling and WHS Manager.
Nearly 50% of participants reported having never lived on a farm, and additional workshops were scheduled to meet high demand – this clearly demonstrates the need for ongoing farmer-specific training.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Addressing the specific challenges and needs of farmers and understanding farming culture and values is important when providing training to those offering support
2. Delivering training to a broad audience (location
and job role) provides a platform to facilitate networking and shared learning, with case studies and group discussion further increasing participant interaction
3. Attendance at online events is challenging - increase registration limits to accommodate for an average of 50% attendance

The National Centre for Farmer Health conducted an evaluation and coordinated a Community of Practice (CoP) for 11 resilience building projects in agriculture-dependent communities across Victoria funded by Agriculture Victoria and delivered by the Victorian Department of Health.

The CoP design and delivery was informed by evidence-based models and provided a platform to support 11 project teams through sharing learnings, problem solving and new knowledge to support their farming communities and increase resilience.

The CoP scheduled monthly meetings and forged connections and communication. A blend of 90 minute online and full day face-to-face meetings were supported by a Microsoft Teams channel for document and information sharing. Post-meeting surveys informed iterative development of CoP content and delivery.

The 26-month project conducted 21 meetings (18 online, 3 face to face) bringing together participants across 22 Victorian local government areas. Innovative techniques encouraged connection, self-care and shared learning.

Final evaluation of surveyed participants demonstrated 100% agreed or strongly agreed the CoP helped them feel engaged and connected with other project teams and inspired about their work. Ninety-three percent reported participation in the CoP helped make their project better, contributed to the success of their project and provided new learnings and approaches to implement.

The broad focus areas and expertise/experience meant not every meeting resonated with every member, however when asked ‘what did you like most about today’s meeting?’ key themes including learning from peers, external speakers, and brainstorming were identified. Consistency was vital and face-to-face meetings assisted to consolidate connections and encouraged valuable networking.

Building capacity of participants was important, as was facilitating a platform for sharing extensive existing knowledge and fostering collaboration. The CoP aligned with original goals whilst responding to changing needs of project teams and provided valuable insights for future applications of a CoP to support place-based initiatives.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Consistency and facilitation is key – regular meetings at the same time and day with overarching facilitation increases engagement
2. Inclusion of some face to face sessions where possible helps to build stronger relationships
3. Building trust and getting buy-in takes time but yields results for both projects and participants

Background: In areas with limited and unaffordable biomedical mental health services, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, traditional healers are an incredibly well-used source of mental health care. Thus, traditional healers will continue to have a significant role in mental health care. This systematic review synthesizes the available evidence on traditional healing practices, factors to access it, and its effectiveness in improving people's mental health in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: The systematic review includes studies published before December 1, 2022 search date, in sub-Saharan Africa. Peer-reviewed published studies were considered for the review. The articles were searched from Pub Med, Medline, CINAHL, and Scopus. Data were extracted using Covidence software, thematically analyzed, and reported using tables and narrative reports. The methodological quality of the included papers was evaluated using Joanna Briggs Institute quality appraisal tools. The PROSPERO registration number is "CRD42023392905".

Result: Our systematic review included 51 studies for analysis. The traditional healing practices included faith (spiritual or religious), diviners' healing practices, traditional healing, and herbal medication as complementary. Objectively measured studies stated that people's mental health improved through collaborative care of traditional healing and biomedical care services. In addition, other subjectively measured studies revealed the effect of traditional healing in improving mental health problems. Human rights abuses occur as a result of some traditional practices such as physical abuse, chaining of the patient, and restriction of food or fasting or starving patients. Individual, social, traditional healers, biomedical health care providers, and health system-related factors were identified to access the traditional healing.

Conclusion: Although there is no conclusive solid evidence to support the effectiveness of traditional healing alone in improving mental health status, studies included in this review indicated that traditional healing and biomedical services collaborative care improves people's mental health.
Keywords: "Traditional healers," "mental health problems," "Sub-Saharan Africa" and "complementary medicine".

Three Key Learnings:

This systematic review synthesizes the available evidence on traditional healing practices, factors to access it, and its effectiveness in improving people's mental health in sub-Saharan Africa.

This presentation highlights the critical need to prioritise the mental strength and emotional resilience of rural mental healthcare workers. Practical insights into recognising and responding to practitioner stress responses, fostering resilience, and enhancing mental strength through tailored mind-body practices, will be provided.

Alarmingly, recent studies show high rates of practitioner burnout and mental health issues, with approximately 50% of workers across Australia and New Zealand affected. Symptoms include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. When practitioner wellbeing is compromised, the services provided to clients can be significantly impacted. The escalating challenges faced by those working in rural areas underscore the urgency for a comprehensive and systemic approach to support the mental, emotional, and physical health of the workforce.

There is a pressing need to move beyond self-care approaches to intentionally building mental fitness. Like a muscle, mental strength needs to be developed and strengthened over time through intentional, focused and conscious practice. Focusing on evidence-based insights into the role of neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology in understanding professional wellbeing, this presentation explores the intricate interplay between the brain, nervous system, mind and body. By recognising conscious and unconscious stress responses, and how stress becomes embodied, we can lay the foundations for increasing resilience.

A systemic and organisational commitment to individual and whole team mental strength can significantly reduce emotional overwhelm, prevent burnout and increase workforce sustainability. A planned approach, which incorporates mind-body practices into daily work schedules, is vital for increasing professional wellbeing. Grounded in principles of neuroscience and interpersonal biology, this presentation outlines tangible tools and techniques that mental healthcare workers can integrate into their daily routines, such as formal and informal mindfulness practices and developing holistic mental strength fitness plans. An overview of Mental Strength Fitness Training, recently delivered across rural locations for mental healthcare workers, will be presented.

Three Key Learnings

1. Address the urgency for increasing the mental strength and resilience of rural mental healthcare workers by providing training in intentional mind-body practices.
2. Provide evidence-based understandings of the role of neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology in professional wellbeing.
3. Provide a practical approach to increasing mental strength and emotional resilience through the development of a holistic Mental Strength Fitness Plan.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people face unique geographical, financial and cultural barriers when seeking mental health support. Services that are inclusive, free, and online have the potential to overcome these barriers and reach a large number of young people. For such services to be successful, they must be informed by lived experience and continuously listen to the voices of the young people they intend to serve. This was the guiding principle that ReachOut followed while designing and developing its new social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) initiative.

In 2021, ReachOut launched 'Meeting where you are, a SEWB project aimed at supporting young First Nations people. As a whole-of-population youth mental health organisation, we needed to find common ground and adopt new ways of listening and working, to ensure our consultation was culturally sensitive and safe, and to develop services meeting the social and emotional wellbeing needs of young people in First Nations communities. This presentation will share some of the key learnings from ReachOut’s experience consulting and co-producing with young First Nations people, and First Nations services.

Three Key Learnings
1. By listening to the voices of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ReachOut was able to consider Indigenous ways of being, doing, and thinking
2. ReachOut has established internal capabilities and achieved a truly inclusive approach by working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young people
3. ReachOut is now able to better understand the behaviours of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so that SEWB support is responsive to the changing needs of our communities in an ever-evolving world

Suicide remains an important public health issue in Australia, responsible for around 3000 deaths each year- 75% of suicide deaths are in males. This new research updates the previous review, completed in 2017, "Factors influencing suicide in older rural males: a review of Australian studies". The main risks identified in the data include living with the uncertainty of drought, dramatic weather changes, limited access to health services, greater isolation, lower employment opportunities, out-migration, changing family dynamics, ageism in the community, economic change and competitive labour markets. Protective factors included connection to family and friends, financial support, rural counselling, improved mental and physical health, health literacy, retirement planning, ageing in place/ staying on the farm, and living in a rural area.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in May 2024, using the terms ‘elderly’ and ‘older males’ and then combined with ‘rural’, ‘suicide’ and ‘Australia’, to investigate the amount of research that has been conducted on the factors relating to suicide in older rural Australian males.

Results: Reviewed articles consisted of research using either quantitative or qualitative approaches, which investigated suicide in older Australians published between 1950 and 2024. With strict adherence to the selection criteria, articles were removed if they were a literature review; a narrative review; focused predominantly on youth or suicide risk; ideation or suicide attempts.

Recommendations included further research into employment transitions for older Australian males, prior to retirement, and the need to review policies for retirement transitions.

Future research should investigate the effect that retirement has on many older Australian rural males, suicide prevention strategies, mental wellbeing and the risk of suicidal behaviour in this cohort.

Conclusions: This article highlights the risks and protective factors for older rural Australians, and why they are at higher risk of suicide than their urban-dwelling counterparts.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Transitioning to retirement is usually harder than anticipated and may cause suicidal distress.
2. Some older males lack the health literacy to ask for support for physical and/or psychological issues, such as low blood pressure, feeling down for longer than two weeks at a time. Others lack the time to be able to leave the farm and attend to their own health needs.
3. Planning and preparation can support a smooth retirement transition, and may reduce suicidal behaviour, however, individuals/ families need to be supported through a trauma informed approach, before, during and after retirement and into older age.

As a Social Worker in private practice working in a rural community that was impacted by the 2019 bushfires followed by ongoing major flooding events, I identify a need for therapeutic interventions that meet the extraordinary needs of those suffering mental distress as a result of these climate induced events. This identification led me to begin a PhD with a focus on how therapists in private practice integrate an ecosocial work practice framework for therapeutic intervention. The focus is on mental health practitioners drawing from evidence-based interventions to work with clients experiencing the incremental impact of climate change.

The need for an Ecosocial work practice framework is essential as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report informs that global warming will continue to incrementally increase surface temperatures which in turn increase extreme weather events (IPCC, 2023). Significantly, the World Health Organisation acknowledged climate change as societies’ greatest threat to wellbeing (WHO, 2023) and the Australian Medical Association recognise “climate change as a health emergency” adding that it “will cause a higher incidence of mental ill-health” (AMA, 2019, p.1)

From this, the importance of applying theory to practice through research is highlighted. Ecosocial work practice that underpins nature based therapies will inform mental health professionals who work with people suffering mental distress as a result of climate change. As my own research and practice develops, I am in motivated to share my knowledge with others in this field.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Applying theories about therapeutic intervention to micro level practice related to climate change and mental distress.
2. Support mental health professionals to engage in nature-based therapy using an Ecosocial work theory framework.
3. Share knowledge about the application of Nature Based Therapy in private practice.

In the serene valleys of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, a silent crisis unfolds as adolescent suicide rates surge, particularly in the Ghizer District, where incidence peaks at 64.9%. This study explores the transformative potential of arts-based interventions, employing the Awareness, Agency, and Motivation (AAM) framework for the implementation of school-based zero-suicide model. The CASEL's Social and Emotional Learning Framework was integrated into the AAM framework, encompassing psychoeducation, skill development, and the encouragement of help-seeking behaviors among gatekeepers. Involving 30 teachers and 450 parents, the intervention aimed to ignite community dialogue, engage stakeholders, and promote mental health and suicide-risk screening and care for adolescents within schools. The intervention utilized expressive arts, including emotional regulation through body mapping, symbolic clay work, metaphorical storytelling techniques, and culturally adapted meditation. Key findings indicate that arts-based methodologies fostered a profound understanding of coping strategies and the role of mental health professionals, contributing to the community’s emotional resilience, cohesion, and need to address suicidal behaviors among youth. Reflective zine-making activity induced individual responsibility to growth and acknowledging self-worth, whereas creative painting on black canvas led to community expression, expansion of emotional vocabulary, and understanding social cues/norms. Another activity, ‘Yarn Circle’ performance, conveyed complex concepts of emotional belongingness, collectively working towards improving mental health of young people, strengthening social connectivity, and impact of decision-making to seek professional help. Initial qualitative data reveal high perceived relatability, cultural relevance and appropriateness, and acceptability of these methods for health education and behavioral change. Arts-based approaches also showed promise in leveraging caregiver’s trust in mental health and suicide-risk screening within schools through active engagement and open discussions. The multidisciplinary implementation team underscores the effectiveness of this approach. Continued research is needed to refine and validate best practices in using arts-based interventions for mental health promotion and behavioral change among adolescents and gatekeepers.

Rural communities within Pakistan have become epicenter of mental health (MH) challenges and markedly lack availability of quality MH services and essential resources. The far-flung regions are geographically widespread with diverse sociocultural contexts that intricate the implementation of health interventions. Absence of a consolidated model that captures individual’s MH behaviors, risks and adherence to psychological services provided is a missed opportunity for studying MH trends and offering innovative programs that are pertinent. Immediate solutions are warranted to address diverse MH needs in local communities across Pakistan. Young people in Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan are experiencing MH issues including suicidal ideation due to unhealthy parenting styles, academic stressors, changes in lifestyle, relationship problems, and lack of healthy coping mechanisms; whereas flood affected communities in Sindh and Baluchistan are at risk of trauma induced by repeated floods, and other climate-induced calamities resulting in loss of lives, family and close social groups, loss of homes, livelihood and resource scarcity. Since these rural districts lack presence of in-person MH professionals, bridging gap by providing virtual connection with care providers is essential. Telehealth model was utilized to ensure easy and equitable access to locally contextualized quality MH and suicide prevention services. The evidence-generated through implementing these programs resulted in improved MH outcomes among referred individuals and prominent reduction in their risk levels were noted, signifying the potential of telehealth services in remote regions. However, following digital MH screening, the prominent challenges with some referrals were internet/network and device inaccessibility, tech/digital illiteracy, communication issues due to varied dialects, no centralized platform for client’s journey mapping, progress tracking, and resource sharing, and unavailability of psych-services for referring severe cases. Therefore, it is recommended to develop a robust and strategic approach for strengthening MH and suicide prevention efforts in rural areas using tele-services for policy advocacy and data-driven decision-making.

My Social Support Network – a case study on the impact of a closed online social community with a structured stepped care social recovery approach for people with psychosocial injury or illness in rural and regional communities.

The aim of the My Social Support Network online community model was to understand if a stepped care socialisation program, offered through an online (virtual / tele health) format would show improvements in mental wellness, reduce social isolation, and create pathways for improved local community interaction.

The My Social Support Network programs and online portal was co-designed with people with psychosocial illness. The purpose was to allow people with very poor mental health to be able to socialise with others, engage in a range of programs and be part of a closed community that allowed stepped care social recovery without having to leave the safety of their homes. Programs were designed to allow people to engage in personal development programs, virtual holidays, cooking classes, celebrations and social events.

The case studies will do a deep dive into the recovery journey of members in My Social Support Network who were experiencing agoraphobia, PTSD, adjustment disorder and borderline personality disorder.

This case study is offered to expand on the knowledge of the benefit and drawbacks of online communities for people who are lonely and isolated as a result of either location, illness, or both.

Three Key Learnings:

1. The benefits of virtual communities for isolated people.
2. Key findings on program format and scheduling to reduce isolation.
3. Unexpected outcomes for older and NESB populations.

Stigma is a well-known barrier towards help-seeking and help-offering behaviours in male dominated industries such as mining and farming. However, very little is known as to what ‘drives’ this stigma, limiting the impact of broad suicide-prevention initiatives. The current study utilised an online, anonymous survey to identify specific believes that contribute to the stigma. Participants, which consisted of fly-in / fly-out (FIFO) workers, currently working in Western Australia (n=148) utilised a free-text method to answer seven questions that asked them what would hinder them, and what they believe would hinder their colleagues in both help-seeking and help-offering when exposed to suicidal distress. A thematic analysis was used to code the answers, and provide specific, recurring themes in all the answers. Results, strengths, limitations, recommendations and directions for future research are discussed.

KEY LEARNINGS

1. Fear of losing their job or limiting career progression is a primary driver of hesitation in help-seeking, presenting a unique opportunity for workplaces to take action.
2. A fear of ‘saying the wrong thing’ or ‘making it worse’ continues to be a primary driver for hesitation in help-offering. This is supported by the literature and suggests that further education is required at all levels of an organisation.
3. Fear around confidentiality is a primary driver of hesitation in both help-seeking and help-offering. It is argued that this is due, in part, to the small ‘tight-knit’ FIFO community, and this finding can be extrapolated into most rural communities including farming. Further research is required to determine potential mitigators for this phenomenon.

The focus of this presentation is the innovative use of Art Therapy as a transformative tool within suicide prevention strategies within rural and remote communities in NSW, with a focus on Tenterfield. By seamlessly integrating early distress interventions, this approach aims to provide survivors of DV and Suicide with a safe haven to explore their emotions and experiences.

It offers consumers a unique opportunity to reflect on their narratives and connect with others who share similar journeys. Consumers are guided to express their thoughts and feelings through structured activities like journaling.

The outcomes of these sessions are profound, showcasing survivors' resilience, determination, and progress on their journey to regaining their lives through recovery. Goals are set collaboratively with the mental health nurse to foster interaction and purpose. Art Therapy does not demand artistic talent; instead, it offers a non-judgmental and creative space for survivors to explore their inner landscapes freely with a curious mind.

This initiative is conducted in collaboration with the Community Hub in Tenterfield; these sessions cater specifically to women, providing a safe and supportive environment. Held weekly and free of charge, the program emphasises accessibility and inclusivity amongst these women, aiming to reach and support as many survivors of DV and suicide.

It will highlight the importance of early interventions and holistic approaches in addressing the complex interplay of trauma, mental health, DV and suicidal tendencies, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive framework for suicide prevention in vulnerable rural and remote communities that research shows are subjected to higher rates of DV, suicide and poor mental health.

The session will provide a simple, quick art therapy activity for all participants to take away and utilise with their consumers and introduce participants to the benefits, healing and impacts that art therapy can have on survivors of DV and suicide.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Insight into alternative therapies – such as art therapy and the value they can provide to consumers and a non-verbal form of non-verbal communication.
2. Understanding of what art therapy, journalling and what journalling progress can do for a consumer with thoughts of suicide and lived experience of Domestic Violence.
3. How to incorporate the curious mindset through art therapy in a consumer centered approach to suicide prevention, suicide interventions and DV support.

Major challenges affect access to services in regional, rural, and remote areas due to difficulties in accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme, limited and fragmented services, lack of understanding of psychosocial disability, and inadequate support with navigation of the scheme. We conducted a survey with mental health carers supporting an NDIS participant living in remote, rural and regional areas in NSW. In total, 14 carers responded to the survey. Responses highlighted various issues including the application process being hindered by poor communication, mixed satisfaction with plan funding received and plan implementation, and limited services. We advocate that state governments should be funded to maintain an independent, peer delivered ‘service navigation and case coordination’ support service to assist people who require it to manage their packages, and a general NDIS market review of what can efficiently be provided by private operators or community managed organisations and what needs to be delivered as a federal government funded and state government delivered monopoly in each jurisdiction.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Responses highlighted various issues including the application process being hindered by poor communication, mixed satisfaction with plan funding received and plan implementation, and limited services.
2. State governments should be funded to maintain an independent, peer delivered ‘service navigation and case coordination’ support service to assist people who require it to manage their packages.
3. Need for a general NDIS market review of what can be provided by private operators or community managed organisations and what needs to be delivered as a federal government funded and state government delivered monopoly in each jurisdiction.

Eating disorder (ED) prognosis is improved with early intervention. However, across Queensland, ED services are experiencing significantly increased demand for treatment and community-based support, putting a strain on service capacity and extending wait times. Waitlist issues are particularly pervasive in rural and regional areas with sparse ED specialist availability. Service initiatives that mitigate access barriers to timely community treatment in regional and remote areas are crucial to optimise outcomes and improve service cost-effectiveness for individuals and the healthcare system. The Brief Intervention/Therapy for EDs (bITE) service model is a structured package of brief, evidence-based ED treatments designed to: (1) increase access to community-based eating disorder treatment and services for people who live outside of Brisbane Metro areas, (2) reduce wait times for community-based ED treatment, (3) address the gap for Supportive Meal Therapy (SMT) in community-based settings. The bITE program consists of three interventions implemented in two stages that provide participants with 15 weeks of continuous care while on waitlists for additional treatment.

This presentation will discuss the implementation and outcomes of the bITE pilot program and the first year of the full program roll-out, including service model details, feasibility, and evaluation.

Key Learnings

1. Participants will understand the importance of early intervention in eating disorder recovery.
2. Participants will understand the importance of place-based and telehealth services in increasing the reach of services.
3. Participants will leave with considerations about the importance of accessible community-based eating disorder treatment services in regional and remote areas.

This systematic review aims to understand the impact of adding CBT interventions delivered through smartphone applications into therapeutic processes for individuals receiving treatment for depression. While some meta-analyses have explored the positive effects of smartphone interventions on physical and mental health conditions, their clinical impact on depression symptoms remains unexplored (Rathbone et al., 2017; Firth et al., 2017a; Firth et al., 2017b). Given the rapid development of technology and smartphone applications, previous reviews are now outdated. The advent of COVID-19 has further accelerated the adoption of digital health solutions.

ANTSA, a digital platform for mental health practitioners, integrates an AI bot named jAImee to assist practitioners. This platform exemplifies the evolving landscape of digital technologies aimed at enhancing mental health care. By synthesising existing evidence, the study aims to provide valuable insights for mental health professionals, researchers, and policymakers, contributing to the intersection between technology and mental health. The review focuses on symptom reduction, offering a comprehensive analysis of the existing evidence to inform both individuals and professionals about evidence-based digital treatments for depression.

Digital technologies like ANTSA, particularly through smartphone applications, present cost-effective and globally accessible avenues for evidence-based mental health support (Radovic et al., 2016). These technologies are especially beneficial for global and rural communities, where access to mental health care may be limited. By spacing out in-person sessions and utilising digital interventions between sessions, practitioners can provide continuous support, ensuring that individuals in remote or underserved areas receive necessary care. ANTSA's integration of AI and digital tools demonstrates the potential for these technologies to enhance therapeutic processes, making mental health care more efficient and effective.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Client Engagement.
2. Access to Mental Health Rurally.
3. Therapy takes place between sessions.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people face unique geographical, financial and cultural barriers when seeking mental health support. Services that are inclusive, free, and online have the potential to overcome these barriers and reach a large number of young people. For such services to be successful, they must be informed by lived experience and continuously listen to the voices of the young people they intend to serve. This was the guiding principle that ReachOut followed while designing and developing its new social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) initiative.

In 2021, ReachOut launched 'Meeting where you are, a SEWB project aimed at supporting young First Nations people. As a whole-of-population youth mental health organisation, we needed to find common ground and adopt new ways of listening and working, to ensure our consultation was culturally sensitive and safe, and to develop services meeting the social and emotional wellbeing needs of young people in First Nations communities. This presentation will share some of the key learnings from ReachOut’s experience consulting and co-producing with young First Nations people, and First Nations services.

Three Key Learnings
1. By listening to the voices of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people ReachOut was able to consider Indigenous ways of being, doing, and thinking
2. ReachOut has established internal capabilities and achieved a truly inclusive approach by working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young people
3. ReachOut is now able to better understand the behaviours of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so that SEWB support is responsive to the changing needs of our communities in an ever-evolving world

Multifaceted deficits confronting Australia's Mental Health (MH) nursing education is highlighted in a plethora of literature. Failing to address the intricate factors contributing to workforce shortages include societal stigma and burnout, this demonstrates a lack of foresight.

It is paramount and crucial to enhance healthcare outcomes overall for societal well-being.

Three Key Learnings:
Learning Outcome 1: First Nation and rural and remote nursing education is paramount in addressing the MH workforce shortages. Challenges associated with this is the ever-increasing demand with consistent critical shortage of MH clinicians, particularly noted in the rural and remote regions. This results in marked disparities in healthcare access and quality. Maldistribution of MH workforces specifically throughout the rural sector across all health sectors impacts on the MH of the farming communities particularly with seasonal and pest challenges.

Challenges in attracting and retaining MH workers lays with the difficulty of placing students for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in MH clinical sites.

Learning outcome 2: It is recognised that consideration of First Nation specific needs for education and training in locally based areas is essential. Initiatives targeting the critical shortage and high turnover rates among MH nurses require a collaborative effort in nursing curriculum design to reduce notable gaps in MH education for recruitment and retention. Health professionals and communities across all sectors should be included to ameliorate this workforce shortage.

By bridging the gap between academia and industry through experiential learning, nursing programs contribute significantly to the cultivation of a workforce capable of delivering holistic care to individuals with MH needs.

Learning Outcome 3: This comprehensive approach not only enhances patient outcomes, but also strengthens the fabric of MH care delivery across diverse healthcare settings paying specific considerations to the rural and remote demographics.

Rural and remote people are the backbone of the Australian economy, yet they face some of the most significant disparities in Australia, impacting their health outcomes.

The Healthy Minds Program and the National Rural and Remote Suicide Prevention Program provide crisis intervention and mental wellbeing care to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities in rural and remote NSW.

This program is a pioneering initiative co-designed with rural and remote communities, empowering them to shape the services they need under the guidance of trained professionals. Its design focuses on crisis intervention and mental well-being. It is a nurse-led program led by a team of Registered Nurses who specialise in Mental Health and supported by Aboriginal Wellness workers, Peer workers, Social Workers, and Community Engagement Officers.

A main highlight of the design is our collaborative agreements with psychologists and other allied mental health specialists to support and increase access to services for people living in rural and remote NSW.
Ensuring that people needing crucial mental health services are supported at the right place and time - by a skilled, well-resourced, and sustainable workforce. To achieve increased mental health literacy and decrease the prevalence of suicide and the impact of poor mental health in rural and remote communities.

8 clinicians cover approx. 250,000kms to service approx. 40,000 people. Since June 2023 (the program's inception), we have provided crisis interventions for over 250 people in rural and remote NSW.

Critical challenges encountered are funding constraints (currently funded by a Commonwealth grant); the program is not sustainable under the current Medicare Benefits Scheme, further impacted by health politics. Competition between multiple services creates disharmony because they compete for the same pot of funding. To create a sustainable and ongoing program, funding is required to reduce ongoing barriers for clients accessing and navigating services in disadvantaged communities.

Three Key Learnings:

1. Understanding collaborative partnership by enhancing mental wellbeing/suicide prevention delivery and promoting holistic care with communities and mental health professionals.
2. Understand the potential impact of a nurse-led crisis intervention model.
3. Provide an understanding of safety for rural and remote communities with a sustainable program and ongoing funding.

Victoria experienced long periods of lockdown during COVID-19. Resulted in long term effects on individuals’ physical and mental health as well as withdrawal and loss of connection with the community. The Re-Set program was developed by a Victorian rural public health service with the aim of providing an early intervention to create a healthy community, and thus reduce reliance on tertiary health response.

Utilising the evidence-based practices of Bush Adventure Therapy, Equine Therapy and Surf Therapy, the Re-Set program was offered to adults in the Southern Grampians region who self-identified a decline in their physical or mental health and connection to their community since COVID-19. Previous research suggests these therapies benefit both general physical health and mental health outcomes, specifically addressing anxiety, depression and trauma. Engagement in these therapies was anticipated to improve participants physical and mental health and consequently prepare them to be more accepting towards fostering positive community connections.

During the four month program, participants took part in experiencing Bushwalking on the Grampians Peaks Trail, ground based work with horses and surf therapy. In total 14 days were devoted to these activities. Group meeting were incorporated as activity briefing, debriefing, or health information session provided from Allied Health Practitioners. At the conclusion of the program, each participant developed a community health action plan to re-connect with their community.

The Re-Set Project was developed with research component with pre and post measures developed for physical. Mental and Community Health indicators. The research is conducted as a Pilot study with both Qualitative and Quantitative methodology.

Pre and post-program surveys were conducted to measure changes in physical and mental health and community engagement. At the concluding celebration dinner, participants presented on their overall experience, thematic analysis was then undertaken. The findings from this pilot study will be presented at the conference.

Three Key Learnings:

1. To identify positive health benefits contributed to involvement in an early intervention nature-based intervention.
2. To further understand specific health benefits from being involved in evidence-based interventions including Bush Adventure Therapy, Equine Therapy and Surf Therapy.
3. To explore whether improvements in individual’s physical and mental health can translate to motivation to increase connection to their local community and general Community health.