Teaming Up to Provide Psychological Support for Help Hesitant Rural Tasmanians with a Non-Clinical Program
Tracks
Grand Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
| Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| 11:10 AM - 11:40 AM |
Overview
Kristy Mayne, Rural Alive & Well Inc and Dr Tracy Spencer, Mindfulness Programs Australasia
Presenter
Kristy Mayne
Outreach Manager
Rural Alive & Well Inc.
Teaming Up to Provide Psychological Support for Help Hesitant Rural Tasmanians with a Non-clinical Program
Presentation Overview
According to the Mental Health Continuum of Care, mental health status fluctuates along a continuum, depending on life stressors and psychological resources. Traditionally, different interventions have targeted, and been funded to target, specific segments of the continuum. RAW catchment is for those living in rural and remote Tasmania and those in primary industries, who may have not accessed support services before, and as an early intervention along the mental health continuum of care to reduce the risk factors for suicide and mental health deterioration. Psychological therapy is supported through Medicare to provide intensive services for those at the other end of the continuum, who are experiencing psychological distress.
Teaming Up to support the journey from one end of the continuum to the other, and back again, is what the informal partnership between RAW and Tracy Spencer, a registered psychologist in rural Tasmania, has been about.
Our model has focused on overcoming the barriers to access and engagement through a supported, cost free, fast tracked referral pathway, which is responsive to the early warning signs of change on the continuum, and to readiness to step down – but not drop out - from intensive to low intensity service as the mental health status improves, or as Medicare rebated sessions expire before the end of the recovery journey.
RAW workers can ‘vouch’ for the psychologist, helping first time users overcome reticence to engage.
Participants receiving this integrated service included those experiencing effects of trauma, relationship breakdown, substance misuse, and suicidality, conditions which generally require up to two years of therapeutic intervention to create long term change.
This presentation will include feedback from RAW workers, and participant's, along with presenting the realistic ways in which rurally-minded psychologists can integrate a bulk billed, fast tracked and supported component of RAW participants into their caseloads
Teaming Up to support the journey from one end of the continuum to the other, and back again, is what the informal partnership between RAW and Tracy Spencer, a registered psychologist in rural Tasmania, has been about.
Our model has focused on overcoming the barriers to access and engagement through a supported, cost free, fast tracked referral pathway, which is responsive to the early warning signs of change on the continuum, and to readiness to step down – but not drop out - from intensive to low intensity service as the mental health status improves, or as Medicare rebated sessions expire before the end of the recovery journey.
RAW workers can ‘vouch’ for the psychologist, helping first time users overcome reticence to engage.
Participants receiving this integrated service included those experiencing effects of trauma, relationship breakdown, substance misuse, and suicidality, conditions which generally require up to two years of therapeutic intervention to create long term change.
This presentation will include feedback from RAW workers, and participant's, along with presenting the realistic ways in which rurally-minded psychologists can integrate a bulk billed, fast tracked and supported component of RAW participants into their caseloads
Biography
Kristy Mayne is a committed mental health professional with over 15 years’ experience working with Rural Alive & Well, focusing on suicide prevention and wellbeing support across rural and remote communities. She brings a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to every interaction, ensuring participants feel heard, respected, and supported. Kristy has worked closely with individuals, families, and communities during times of crisis, providing critical incident response, emotional support, and connection to ongoing care. Known for her empathy, calm presence, and collaborative style, she is dedicated to improving mental health outcomes and building resilience in underserved areas through strengths-based engagement.
Dr Tracy Spencer
Teacher/director/owner/psychologist
Mindfulness Programs Australasia
Teaming Up to Provide Psychological Support for Help Hesitant Rural Tasmanians With a Non-clinical Program
Presentation Overview
According to the Mental Health Continuum of Care, mental health status fluctuates along a continuum, depending on life stressors and psychological resources. Traditionally, different interventions have targeted, and been funded to target, specific segments of the continuum. RAW catchment is for those living in rural and remote Tasmania and those in primary industries, who may have not accessed support services before, and as an early intervention along the mental health continuum of care to reduce the risk factors for suicide and mental health deterioration. Psychological therapy is supported through Medicare to provide intensive services for those at the other end of the continuum, who are experiencing psychological distress.
Teaming Up to support the journey from one end of the continuum to the other, and back again, is what the informal partnership between RAW and Tracy Spencer, a registered psychologist in rural Tasmania, has been about.
Our model has focused on overcoming the barriers to access and engagement through a supported, cost free, fast tracked referral pathway, which is responsive to the early warning signs of change on the continuum, and to readiness to step down – but not drop out - from intensive to low intensity service as the mental health status improves, or as Medicare rebated sessions expire before the end of the recovery journey.
RAW workers can ‘vouch’ for the psychologist, helping first time users overcome reticence to engage.
Participants receiving this integrated service included those experiencing effects of trauma, relationship breakdown, substance misuse, and suicidality, conditions which generally require up to two years of therapeutic intervention to create long term change.
This presentation will include feedback from RAW workers, and participant's, along with presenting the realistic ways in which rurally-minded psychologists can integrate a bulk billed, fast tracked and supported component of RAW participants into their caseloads
Teaming Up to support the journey from one end of the continuum to the other, and back again, is what the informal partnership between RAW and Tracy Spencer, a registered psychologist in rural Tasmania, has been about.
Our model has focused on overcoming the barriers to access and engagement through a supported, cost free, fast tracked referral pathway, which is responsive to the early warning signs of change on the continuum, and to readiness to step down – but not drop out - from intensive to low intensity service as the mental health status improves, or as Medicare rebated sessions expire before the end of the recovery journey.
RAW workers can ‘vouch’ for the psychologist, helping first time users overcome reticence to engage.
Participants receiving this integrated service included those experiencing effects of trauma, relationship breakdown, substance misuse, and suicidality, conditions which generally require up to two years of therapeutic intervention to create long term change.
This presentation will include feedback from RAW workers, and participant's, along with presenting the realistic ways in which rurally-minded psychologists can integrate a bulk billed, fast tracked and supported component of RAW participants into their caseloads
Biography
Dr Tracy Spencer is a Registered Psychologist and Mindfulness Facilitator and Director of HomeCountry, a company dedicated to providing accessible and culturally appropriate psychological services and self-management skills in Rural and Remote communities. She has been delivering trauma-informed therapy and community development in rural and remote Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory, NSW and Queensland for over 30 years.
