Utilizing technology to raise mental health literacy in small rural towns

A small empirical study was funded by the Australian Government's Regional Health Service Program, with the aim of delivering and evaluating a series of six interactive mental health information sessions to health workers, consumers, carers and community members in small rural towns using distance education technologies (e.g. videoconferencing, telephone conferencing and the Internet). Over 250 people participated in the series involving 89 rural towns in New South Wales, Australia; 47% of these towns had a population of less than 5000. The evaluation consisted of 222 returned participant evaluation questionnaires which showed that 39% of respondents appreciated having access to mental health information, 27% valued having access to it locally, and 14% appreciated not having to travel to obtain it. The greatest percentage of problems (62%) was related to the reliability and use of the technology.

The information series provided participants with an opportunity to network and learn together locally, to communicate more extensively with experts in the mental health field, and to develop greater confidence in the use of distance education technologies. Delivery by videoconference was found to be efficient in enabling a number of individuals to participate at a local site eliminating the costs associated with travel. The challenges of the initiative have been how to effectively engage rural community participation in an unfamiliar distance-learning mode (videoconferencing and web forums), developing a supporting protocol and network that ensures a successful learning event, and understanding current capabilities of the technology in rural areas.

This small and specific study offers evidence of ways in which a carefully developed initiative can improve isolated community mental health literacy and suggests some benefits and challenges of community engagement and technology use which will be of interest to professionals facilitating learning in rural and remote contexts.