Rural mental health care often faces challenges including limited provider availability, geographic barriers, and pervasive stigma. SANE forums - online, accessible by any internet connected device, and anonymous—serve as an important complementary resource alongside clinical and community care.
This presentation examines how SANE forums could potentially enhance rural mental health systems by providing anonymous, at-home, continuous, stigma-free support that clinical services alone cannot fully address. Through case studies and evidence review, we illustrate how SANE online forums helped participants to address;

1. considerable social and geographical isolation

2. a social connection that was lacking in their everyday lives

3. finding and providing information and practical advice.

This session will equip attendees with a demonstrated knowledge of SANE forums, how and why SANE is incorporating them deeper into the care model, practical steps for integrating SANE’s online peer community into rural mental health offerings and ultimately expanding access and improving outcomes for priority regional and remote populations.