New directions for research and practice in psychology in rural areas

Abstract

One quarter of the Australian population lives in rural or remote areas, but as a group, rural Australians often have special health, and in particular mental health, needs which are often unmet. The reasons include the effects of the economic downturn and Government policies regarding health services, the peculiarities of small town communities with respect to seeking psychological help, and the chronic shortages of health professionals in rural areas. There are at least five ways in which the psychology profession can address the issues. First, there is a need to establish what variables in rural life call for the attention of specialist psychology; second, investigations are required as to the extent to which behavioural and emotional disorders are found in rural communities; third, ways must be found to encourage more psychologists to work in the country: fourth, training must focus on special problems of working in the country; and, fifth, the profession needs to promote research among rural and remote area populations identified as having special needs. Knowledge on mental health issues must become more readily available to rural populations. The recent establishment of the Australian Rural Health Research Institute and promised government initiatives on regional development strategy are timely, and the psychology profession presently has the opportunity to contribute significantly to mental health maintenance in rural areas.