Removing the distance for mental health

Thursday 7 April 2005

The University of Newcastle's Centre for Rural and Remote Health (CRRMH) will present the latest in a series of six lectures on mental health issues for rural communities, via video conference later this month.

Heidi Kurtz from the TeleWest project at the CRRMH says the lectures are designed to provide a variety of quality mental health and alcohol and other drug education and information to rural health workers and community members living in the Mid Western, Macquarie and Far West Area Health Services.

"Mental health needs are among the most pressing for rural and remote parts of Australia," says Heidi. "We are removing the distance for people in these communities so that they can have access to the latest relevant and responsive programs and support networks."

"The upcoming lecture will give an understanding of the prevalence of drug and alcohol issues and their relationship to mental health as well as some common scenarios and how to address these issues."

"We are specifically focusing on community members, carer groups, health service providers and health service partners in towns with less than 5000 people."

This is the fifth in a series of six one-hour lectures that the CRRMH has been funded, by the Australian Government Regional Health Service Program, to provide between July 2004 and July 2005.

"So far we have had up to 18 sites, including community health centres, hospitals and community technology centres throughout Mid West, Macquarie and Far West link up for previous sessions, and each session is gradually increasing in numbers."

"Communities interested in linking up to the TeleWest program are invited to contact the CRRMH for more details," says Heidi.

The CRRMH is a major rural initiative of the Faculty of Health at the University of Newcastle and NSW Health. The Centre, which began operation in January 2001 in Orange in the Central West of NSW, aims to bring quality education and research programs to all rural areas of NSW.

The TeleWest Lecture, 'Understanding common Drug and Alcohol issues and their relationship to Mental Health', will be held from 12pm - 1pm (Eastern Standard Time) on Tuesday 26 April 2005.

For more information and interviews contact Heidi Kurtz or Bryan Hoolahan, Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, on (02) 6360 7828.

Please add to your community notices: What: The University of Newcastle’s Centre for Rural and Remote Health presents the latest TeleWest Lecture - Understanding common Drug and Alcohol issues and their relationship to Mental Health. When: 12pm - 1pm (Eastern Standard time) on Tuesday 26 April 2005. Where: Your community health centre, hospital or local community technology centre. Please call Heidi Kurtz on (02) 6360 7828 for your local site. Telephone conferencing is also an option if available. Presenters: Dr Rod MacQueen, Alcohol and other Drug Clinical Director, Bloomfield Hospital Orange NSW and Leigh Underwood, Senior Clinical Psychologist, The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, Bloomfield Hospital Orange NSW. To participate in the session contact the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health on (02) 6360 7828. The project officer will provide you with specific details of how and where to access your nearest video conferencing site. Registration date: Wednesday 20 April 2005. For more information and interviews contact Heidi Kurtz or Bryan Hoolahan, Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, on (02) 6360 7828.