Past District Governor Nevin Hughes introduced Professor Kelly and Dr Coleman, saying that the purpose of their talk was to bring the Club up to date on the progress of the ongoing pilot survey being conducted, known as the Australian Rural Mental Health Study (ARMHS).

Nevin also wished to acknowledge Peter Moffitt, Mo Simpson and Peter and Judy Spedding for their roles on the local (survey) committee.

Professor Kelly said he and Dr Coleman were in the Weddin Shire and Grenfell to follow up on a series of contacts and also (partly) to catch up with our Rotary Club. His survey team had relied heavily on its links with Rotary to facilitate the study, he said.

Approximately 1800 households across rural, remote and coastal NSW have become involved with the ARMHS.

It focuses on individual, family and community factors associated with the mental health and wellbeing of residents in rural communities of the state.

It also looks at rural residents’ perceptions of mental health needs and their access and utilisation of health services.

The study is administered from four sites, namely, Orange, Broken Hill, Lismore and Moree. The areas of the state being reached from these four sites are as far and wide as the Far West, Central West, North West, Far North Coast and the Upper Hunter regions.

The study consists of two mail surveys with about half the participants being asked to complete a telephone interview.

Dr Coleman said that while their study covers men and women over a wide range of ages, with the majority of participants being females over the age of 55.

The youngest participant is 18 and their oldest is 86.

She also said that, interestingly to the survey team, is a finding so far that many “remote-area” rural people are “generally pretty satisfied with their lives”. They appear to have a certain resilience, and demonstrate a coping mechanism which allows them to adapt well to adverse circumstances.

On behalf of all present, Peter Moffitt thanked the speakers, saying that due to work such as theirs being carried out, “It makes people aware of mental health. It is out there in the public domain, and that is a good thing”.

The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health is also coordinating a series of “Tackling Tough Times” events across the state.

This year the focus is on women and younger people, older farmers and Aboriginal people. Keep an eye out for events in your area.

If you would like to find out more information on ARMHS or on the CRRMH, visit the website at www.crrmh.com.au