Mental health service preferences in rural Australia: the importance of culture and connection.
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| Title: | Mental health service preferences in rural Australia: the importance of culture and connection. |
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| Authors: | Moody, Margot P. (AUTHOR), Loi, Natasha M. (AUTHOR), Rock, Adam J. (AUTHOR), Usher, Kim J. (AUTHOR), Rice, Kylie (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Australian Journal of Psychology. Dec2025, Vol. 77 Issue 1, p1-13. 13p. |
| Subjects: | Mental health services, Cultural competence, Telemedicine, Mental health, Social bonds, Rural geography |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia |
| Abstract: | Objective: There is a lack of adequate mental health services available in rural and remote Australia, with rural Australians experiencing poorer mental health outcomes than those in urban areas. Service access needs to improve, and the current study aimed to address this by exploring the acceptability of services, including telehealth, among rural Australians. Method: A convergent mixed-method online survey was used to examine mental health service and clinician preferences via a series of open-ended and scaled questions. A total of 294 rural and regional Australians participated in the study, and textual responses were analysed using reflexive content analysis, with a repeated measures analysis of variance utilised to further examine telehealth acceptability. Results: Results indicated a preference for in-person support that was accessible and available, with clinicians who were qualified and clinically competent. The importance of cultural competence was also highlighted, with responses indicating a need for clinicians with both rural and local knowledge, who also fostered connection and trust with their clients. Likewise, participants demonstrated an increasing acceptability of telehealth, provided the clinician was rurally based. Conclusions: The results indicate a need for mental health services in rural Australia to be acceptable and relevant in order to best meet the needs of this population. Implications for future service delivery in rural areas, including recommendations for further research, are discussed. KEY POINTS: What is already known about this topic: Mental health service availability is a barrier for rural Australians seeking mental health support, with fewer psychologists working in rural communities compared to urban communities. Telehealth services have been utilised to increase service availability in rural areas. However, emerging evidence suggests a preference for in-person support amongst rural people. It is important for mental health clinicians to be culturally responsive, particularly when working in rural communities. What this topic adds: Results add to the literature regarding rural people's preference for in-person support, though suggest an increasing acceptability for telehealth should the providing clinician be based rurally. Rural people want mental health clinicians who have both local and rural knowledge of their communities and focus on building connection and trust with their clients. Though service availability needs to increase in rural communities, such supports also need to be acceptable and relevant to rural people, to ensure uptake of services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Objective: There is a lack of adequate mental health services available in rural and remote Australia, with rural Australians experiencing poorer mental health outcomes than those in urban areas. Service access needs to improve, and the current study aimed to address this by exploring the acceptability of services, including telehealth, among rural Australians. Method: A convergent mixed-method online survey was used to examine mental health service and clinician preferences via a series of open-ended and scaled questions. A total of 294 rural and regional Australians participated in the study, and textual responses were analysed using reflexive content analysis, with a repeated measures analysis of variance utilised to further examine telehealth acceptability. Results: Results indicated a preference for in-person support that was accessible and available, with clinicians who were qualified and clinically competent. The importance of cultural competence was also highlighted, with responses indicating a need for clinicians with both rural and local knowledge, who also fostered connection and trust with their clients. Likewise, participants demonstrated an increasing acceptability of telehealth, provided the clinician was rurally based. Conclusions: The results indicate a need for mental health services in rural Australia to be acceptable and relevant in order to best meet the needs of this population. Implications for future service delivery in rural areas, including recommendations for further research, are discussed. KEY POINTS: What is already known about this topic: Mental health service availability is a barrier for rural Australians seeking mental health support, with fewer psychologists working in rural communities compared to urban communities. Telehealth services have been utilised to increase service availability in rural areas. However, emerging evidence suggests a preference for in-person support amongst rural people. It is important for mental health clinicians to be culturally responsive, particularly when working in rural communities. What this topic adds: Results add to the literature regarding rural people's preference for in-person support, though suggest an increasing acceptability for telehealth should the providing clinician be based rurally. Rural people want mental health clinicians who have both local and rural knowledge of their communities and focus on building connection and trust with their clients. Though service availability needs to increase in rural communities, such supports also need to be acceptable and relevant to rural people, to ensure uptake of services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00049530 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/00049530.2025.2544924 |
