Scratching the surface: mental health training for rural health workers

This paper will describe the Mental Health Training for Rural Health Workers Project that was completed in 1995 under the Rural Health Support Education and Training Program. The lack of specialist mental health services in rural areas means that generalist health workers need to provide mental health services in rural communities. Generalist health workers often feel ill-equipped to help people who require mental health services. The aim of this project was to provide generalist workers in rural areas with practical skills and knowledge in order to help people with mental health disorders and promote positive mental health. The project involved an initial needs survey, the development of education and training material, the implementation of the training, and evaluation of the project.