Isaac mining towns not accessing mental health services during Covid-19
Mental health is still considered a taboo topic of discussion for Bowen Basin residents. But professionals are now on hand to help those struggling to access services in mining towns.
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Rural towns including Moranbah, Dysart, Clermont and Nebo are falling through the gaps when it comes to mental health, an issue worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A $500,000 research program has found a jarring lack of mental health and psychology services to support these communities.
NaviCare Mental Health Service was developed to provide much-needed help, following “world-class research” from Wesley Medical Research in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation.
Wesley Medical Research CEO Claudia Giurgiuman said increasing demand for mental health care had not been met with a proportional increase in services, largely because of the challenges associated with rural and remote areas.
“Service providers that were part of our study have a lot of passion for mental health and community care, as do the many organisations that fund mental health delivery,” she said.
“However, as with most regional communities, a lower socio-economic profile, higher rates of homelessness, drugs and alcohol, and domestic violence exist, and are connected with reduced mental health outcomes.
“While outreach services are crucial in this environment, the research revealed there remains a stigma related to mental health which may lead to decreased health-seeking behaviour.”
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said there was an increasing demand for mental health support across the region.
“People living and working in rural and remote areas deserve the same access to mental health services as those living in our major cities,” Mayor Baker said.
Mitsubishi Development CEO Sadahiko Haneji said the initiative began following concerns about the prolonged effects Covid-19 was having on a community already at a higher risk of poor mental health.
“We knew our mining communities, including our workforce, would be more vulnerable in this environment and while there are already so many organisations doing great work in this space, people are still falling through the gaps,” he said.
“The NaviCare service is about providing a local and trusted Care Navigator in the community to tailor solutions to an individual’s unique situation – bridging any gaps by pairing support available in the community with specialist options available in other locations through new mechanisms like telehealth.
“An ongoing challenge is the additional demand for public services that stems from a remote region comprising roughly two-thirds residential population and one-third non-residential workers at any given time.
“Our organisation has a responsibility to ensure we are sustainably growing alongside our local communities while supporting our workforce, the broader resources industry and their families.”
Isaac NaviCare’s Kelly McGrath said mental health was still considered a taboo topic of discussion for Bowen Basin residents.
“This can impact on how quickly an individual reaches out for help,” she said.
“By having a deep understanding of the challenges and disconnect that remote towns can (face, we) have partnered with training and expertise in health services.
“My goal is to connect personally with our local residents and guide them on a path to support.”
NaviCare was officially launched on November 9 2021.
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