Mental Health A Person-centred Approach

This chapter begins with an overview of the rural and regional clinical context, and explores the connections that rural mental health practitioners have within rural communities. Models of mental health promotion and service delivery are discussed. The nature of life in rural settings and the ways in which climate and geographical location affect the mental health of people are also considered in the context of mental health resilience and vulnerability. Attention is given to the effects of natural disasters, agribusiness, mining, the itinerant rural workforce and under-employment, and the associated mental health consequences. This chapter discusses some rural community benefits in regard to mental health promotion, such as a deeply felt sense of close social proximity despite significant geographical distances between rural people. After reading this chapter, students will be able to reflect on, and critically think about, the ways in which mental health promotion, well-being and recovery can be enhanced among rural populations.