Improving the mental health and wellbeing of people in rural and remote areas, requires different strategies to address the unique circumstances of rural and remote Queensland.
Rural and Remote Community Wellbeing Toolkit
A Rural and Remote Community Wellbeing Toolkit resource was finalised in June 2016 to help rural and remote communities in times of drought. This project was jointly funded by the Commission, the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and Queensland Health.
The Toolkit was developed by North West Hospital and Health Service and Central Rural Health in partnership with community stakeholders in Julia Creek, McKinlay, Springsure and Emerald. The Springsure wellbeing plan, Hand in Hand was developed by the Springsure community as part of the project.
Identifying local needs and responses
The Toolkit provides a guide to establishing drought leadership groups and resources to assist communities to assess the strengths, challenges and resources in their communities.
The Toolkit aims to support rural and remote communities to respond to drought and foster community wellbeing through focusing on strengthening resilience, preparing for drought, supporting the community during the drought and into recovery.
Resources for rural and remote communities
Toolkit resources developed to assist and be used by other rural and remote communities include:
- Planning guide: A hand up, not a hand out
This is a resource for rural and remote communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from the effects of drought or other long term disasters, and building community resilience through local leadership groups. - A community mental health toolkit literature review
- An endorsement letter template (Word)
- An action plan template (Word)
- An implementation plan template (Word)
- Terms of reference template (Word)
