RAMHP QUARTERLY UPDATEAPRIL – JUNE 2019

RAMHP Quarterly Update Report, April – June 2019

RAMHP Quarterly Update Report: April – June 2019

This report is intended to provide an update for our key stakeholders on the work being undertaken by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program

(RAMHP). It is intended that this report will be emailed to key stakeholders and also available on the Program’s website and that of the Centre for

Rural and Remote Mental Health. Please email comments or questions to: tessa.caton@newcastle.edu.au.

Table of Contents

Section Page Number

General RAMHP Program Updates 3

Data Considerations 14

RAMHP Updates by Program Component 15

LINK 15

TRAIN 20

INFORM 23

| 2

General RAMHP Program Updates

The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program – Tessa Caton

RAMHP Program Updates

• Supporting communities affected by the intensifying drought

remains a strong priority for RAMHP Coordinators. Stress and

Drought remain the 2 most common reasons our RAMHP

Coordinators are linking people to care.

• Drought support has included:

• Planning and attending social event for families

• Assisting with the integration of Drought Support Workers or

Farming Family Counsellors across Murrumbidgee, HNE and

Western LHDs

• Partnering with PHNs to leverage the grant funding under

Empowering our Communities, applications have been

submitted for the following projects:

- HNECC PHN – 7 Wellbeing Workshops for Frontline

Drought Assistance Staff; strategic implementation of 25

Workplace Support Skills Sessions (application

successful)

- Western PHN – Partnering with Rural Financial

Counsellors to run workshops – (Application submitted)

- Nepean Blue Mountains PHN – Drs in the Paddock (Mini

Ag Field Days with Q-fever clinic & access to mental

health information) – (Application drafted)

• A large statewide training project with Water NSW was also

completed, 299 members of their staff were trained in Workplace

Support Skills Training.

• Work continues on RAMHP’s major resource projects including: Rural

Men’s Mental Health Website, Podcast Series 3, Glove Box Guide to

Mental Health, Lived Experience Videos and refresh of Training

Videos

• Dubbo RAMHP Coordinator, Camilla Kenny was a finalist in the

Western NSW LHD Living Quality and Safety Gala Awards. Bega

based RAMHP Coordinator, Jen Keioskie was awarded

Collaborative Leader of the Year by the Southern LHD.

Recruitment Updates

• RAMHP is now at full capacity with the following new additions:

• Alison Tye based in Nowra

• Matt Milne based in Tamworth

• Sonia Cox based in Lithgow

• Cas Mastrone based in Mudgee

• Phil Worrad based in Orange; and

• Orry Berry based in Port Macquarie.

• The RAMHP Management Team also welcomed:

• RAMHP Strategic Projects Manager – Claire Gander

• RAMHP Communications Coordinator – Lauren Dunkley

Report 2 Highlights

• 578 People Linked to Care

between Apr – Jun 2019

• 142 Training Courses were

delivered to 3,044 participants

between Apr – Jun 2019

• 134 Community Events were

attended by RAMHP Coordinators

between Apr – Jun 2019

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 3

General RAMHP Program Updates

RAMHP Communication Highlights– Jocelyn Johnston

The second quarter of 2019 has been equally as productive as the first

quarter with the development of some new resources and the roll out of

our third series of the podcast – Let’s talk Rural Mental Health. The first

episode on Carers Mental Health was broadcast on 25 June with the

following 5 episodes to roll out in July.

You can view all our podcasts at:

https://www.crrmh.com.au/get-help-now/self-help-resources/podcasts/

We were also excited to be announced as a finalist in the Australian

Podcast Awards for our first two series. The category we were entered

In was the ACAST award for Diversity & Inclusion in Podcasting.

This quarter also saw the promotion of our video with our new

Ambassador for RAMHP Gus Worland. The video reached 7,243

people, 755 engagement and had 34 shares. To view the video click

here : https://www.facebook.com/ramhp/videos/333332627320464/

RAMHP eNewsletters

RAMHP released two eNewsletters during this period. The April/May

edition, 'Let's Talk' about our rural communities was delivered to 707

recipients and had a 43% open rate. This edition focused on the

importance of community and the CRRMH's respectfully engaging with

rural communities guide was the most clicked link. Click here to view the

April/May eNewsletter. The June/July edition, RAMHP eNewsletter

June/July 2019 – Drought, was delivered to 887 recipients and had a

39% open rate. The redesigned How are you going? resource was the

most clicked link. Click here to view.

Website

During this quarter the RAMHP website received 3,933 website sessions

(+9%) The average website session was 2:27 mins.

The top 5 pages were as follows:

1. Homepage – 2,293 views

2. Downloadable Resources – 537 views

3 Find a RAMHP Coordinator – 457 views

4. About Us: Meet the Team – 412 views

5. About Us – 387 views

Revamp ‘How Are You Going?’ resource

Our popular ‘How Are you Going?’ resource was also

given a facelift to reflect our new branding. The

feedback and engagement on social media was extremely

positive.

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 4

General RAMHP Program Updates

Media Highlights

During the second quarter in 2019, various RAMHP Coordinators and the

RAMHP Manager were interviewed about current issues and key

initiatives.

Key topics included our work with the Pambula Rainbow Festival, the

Easter Show Suicide Prevention Forum, how to talk about mental illness,

tips for coping with the drought, volunteering, about RAMHP and Alison

Tye’s new role as a RAMHP Coordinator.

This quarter the team sent out the following media releases;

Easter Show focusses on collaborative approaches to community wellbeing

- 10 April 2019

RAMHP Announces NEW Ambassador – radio and television personality

Gus Worland - 11 April 2019

RAMHP announces new Coordinator base in Nowra – 21 May 2019

This quarter also saw the team respond to various media requests

including from Wagga 2AA, the Land news, ABC and True Blue Magazine

(Rex Airlines)

The team also worked with RAMHP Coordinator Judy Carmody to develop

content for a regular monthly column in the Yass Tribune. The following

three issues were published in April, May and June.

• April – Importance of social connections

• May – Why it’s important to seek help early

• June – Understanding mental health and mental illness

Some examples of key media activity are presented in Table 1 on the

following page. Please note this is a sample only. The full list can be seen

in Appendix A of the CRRMH Quarterly Report.

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 5

General RAMHP Program Updates

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

Date Media Outlet Topic Spokesperson Link

2.04.2019 Yass Tribune Yass’ accidental

counsellors provide relief

to drought-affected

famers

RAMHP mentioned https://www.yasstribune.com.au/s

tory/5985197/yass-accidental-

counsellors-provide-relief-to-

drought-affected-farmers/

4.04.2019 About Regional Pambula’s Rainbow

Wave Festival

Committee –RAMHP

Coordinator Jen Keioskie

part of it

https://aboutregional.com.au/ever

yone-needs-to-be-at-pambulas-

rainbow-wave-festival-april-13/

18.04.2019 The Courier Looking after ourselves in

tough times

RAMHP Coordinator

Letitia Cross

Article on file

5.05.2019 Western Advocate Mental illness and the

way we talk

RAMHP Coordinator

Camilla Kenny

https://www.westernadvocate.co

m.au/story/6098283/why-we-

should-change-the-language-

around-mental-health/

27.05.2019 South Coast Registrar The inaugural

Shoalhaven G'Day Mate

Barbecue on June 5.

RAMHP Coordinator

Alison Tye

https://www.southcoastregister.c

om.au/story/6185079/gday-mate-

feel-like-a-cuppa-a-snag-and-a-

chat/

| 6

Table 1: Overview of Media Interactions (note this is a sample only)

General RAMHP Program Updates

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

Date Media Outlet Topic Spokesperson Link

6.06.2019 The Land Tips for families coping in

drought

RAMHP Article on file

14.06.2019 Lithgow radio RAMHP program and Sonia Cox

as local Coordinator

RAMHP No link

14.06.2019 The Village Voice (Lithgow) RAMHP Program Overview RAMHP

Coordinator

Sonia Cox

Article on file

14.06.2019 Radio 2AA FM Wagga RAHMP program and men’s

mental health

RAMHP

Manager Tessa

Caton

LIVE Interview – no link

17.06.2019 Newsletter – Wilcannia News Mental health RAMHP

Coordinator

Marie Kelly

No link

18.06.2019 South Coast Register RAMHPs new appointment

Alison Tye

RAMHP

Coordinator

Alison Tye

https://www.southcoastregis

ter.com.au/story/6222721/n

ewly-appointed-health-

coordinator-to-help-find-the-

path-to-wellness/

| 7

Table 1: Overview of Media Interactions (continued)

General RAMHP Program Updates

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

Date Media Outlet Topic Spokesperson Link

19.06.2019 South Coast Register RAMHP at Safework

Expo

RAMHP Coordinator

Alison Tye

https://www.southcoastregiste

r.com.au/story/6222721/newly

-appointed-health-

coordinator-to-help-find-the-

path-to-

wellness/?fbclid=IwAR1AE_s

cpTtoKMB4KHKmFe9IJH1Co

qdRU_-

1YEXlQ7wWPdHyc2MY_hqF

Sw0

21.06.2019 True Blue Magazine (REX Airlines) Di Gills role as a

RAMHP Coordinator

RAMHP Coordinator Di

Gill

TBC

25.06.2019 Yass Tribune (monthly column) Mental health: What do

the terms mean?

RAMHP Coordinator Judy

Carmody

https://www.yasstribune.com.

au/story/6239182/mental-

health-vs-mental-illness/

28.06.2019 Radio 2PK Good mental health

and landcare

RAMHP Coordinator Di

Gill

No link

27.06.2019 The Northern Daily Leader What's on: drought

mental health forum at

Farrer

RAMHP Coordinator

Sarah Green

https://www.northerndailylead

er.com.au/story/6245153/drou

ght-mental-wellness-forum-at-

farrer/

| 8

Table 1: Overview of Media Interactions (continued)

General RAMHP Program Updates

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 9

General RAMHP Program Updates

RAMHP Social Media – Lauren Dunkley

The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for

RAMHP’s Facebook page.

Table 2: Overview of RAMHP’s Facebook Page Statistics, Apr. –

Jun. 2019

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

Statistic Impact

344 new likes were achieved during this period, bringing the total

number of likes to 1,661

• Number of likes increased by 25.3%

Post Publishing this quarter was 86 • This quarter featured posts on the 2018 Annual report, new

Coordinators joining the team, and a redistribution of the

How are you going? poster

• Gus Worland was announced as a RAMHP ambassador on

Facebook during this period

Engagement with posts:

− Reactions 3929

− Comments 346

− Shares 832

− Link Clicks 504

• Total engagements were up 85.2%

• Posts that attracted high engagement included welcoming

Sonia Cox and Matthew Milne to the team, announcement

of the Aurizon Pop-up Cinema event, and a repost of the

Men's Mental Health Podcast during Men's Health week.

| 10

General RAMHP Program Updates

RAMHP Social Media – Lauren Dunkley

The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for

RAMHP’s Twitter page.

Table 3: Overview of RAMHP’s Twitter Statistics, Apr - Jun. 2019

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

Statistic Impact

17 new followers were achieved during this period, bring the total

number to 469

• RAMHP’s Twitter audience continues to increase

Post Publishing this quarter was 12 during this period • Publishing frequency decreased by 36.8% this quarter

19 Tweets during this period:

− @mentions 22

− Replies 1

− Retweets 11

− Tweet Likes 53

− Retweet with comment 6

• Engagement has increased by 44.3% this quarter.

| 11

General RAMHP Program Updates

RAMHP Social Media – Lauren Dunkley

The following table provides an overview of the key statistics for

RAMHP’s Instagram page.

Table 4: Overview of RAMHP’s Instagram Statistics, Apr - Jun. 2019

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

Statistic Impact

Since launching in April 2019, RAMHP has acquired 177 Instagram

followers.

• RAMHP’s reach on social media continues to grow

Post Publishing this quarter was 27 during this period • Publishing frequency has been reliably consistent

throughout the period for the newly launched Instagram

account.

Engagement with 27 posts:

− Likes 592

− Comments 23

− Saves 7

− Impressions 5006

• Engagement with the new Instagram account will be better

assessed at the completion of next quarter when statistics

may be compared.

| 12

Overview of Social Media Apr – Jun 2019

‘How are you going?’ poster

Social media was used to engage men throughout Men's Health

Week and to encourage them to take action in looking after their

mental health. RAMHP's popular How are you going? poster was

reposted as a simple tool for men to use to assess current mental

wellbeing and encourage helpseeking where required.

Welcoming new staff

The announcement of additional RAMHP Coordinators joining the

team proved to be popular posts amongst our audience.

This quarter, posts welcoming Sonia Cox, Matthew Milne and Orry

Berry all featured on Facebook.

Gus Worland ambassador announcement

Social media was used to give followers an introduction to our new

program ambassador, Triple M presenter Gus Worland.

Launch of new RAMHP Instagram account

The RAMHP Coordinator lead Instagram account launched in April

and has experienced steady growth during the period.

General RAMHP Program Updates

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 13

Data Considerations

This Report 2 represents the second period of data collected using the

RAMHP App in 2019. There are a number of considerations which must

be taken into account when interpreting the results of this Report. These

include:

• Annual leave taken by RAMHP Coordinators during the reporting

period may impact on their data presented in the Report.

• The correctness of data from the RAMHP App relies on the accurate

data entry of the RAMHP Coordinators.

General RAMHP

Program Updates

Data

Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 14

How Many People Were Linked?

• From April – June 2019, 578 people were linked to mental health

support services or resources by RAMHP Coordinators. This

represents a 28% increase from the previous quarter.

• The majority of links (n=422, 73%) were people seeking

assistance for themselves.

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 15

Chart 1: Number of Links Oct. 2018 – Jun. 2019, by Linkage Type

573

310422

151

140

156

Oct - Dec 2018 Jan - Mar 2019 Apr - Jun 2019

Nu

mb

er

of

Lin

ks

Quarter

Linked someone to services/resources to help someone else

Linked someone to services/resources for themselves

How Did Linking Take Place?

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

• During April – June 2019, the largest number of links took place

when RAMHP Coordinators provided training (n=110, 37%) or

attended community events (n=63, 21%).

• A considerable proportion of linkages also occurred through

phone or email contact (n=41, 14%).

| 16

Note: (n=295). 283 cases were not included as they were group links i.e. when a

number of people are linked at the same time for a specific issue.

Chart 2: Proportion of Links Apr. – Jun. 2019, by Method of Linkage

21%

37%

13%

14%

5%

1%

9%

I met them at a community event or meeting

They attended training I delivered

I provided linking advice to a professional in my partnerships/networks

Through phone or email contact

The ‘person in need’ works for a service in my partnerships/networks

The ‘person in need’ was referred from another service

Other

What Symptoms Or Issues Were RAMHP Coordinators Assisting With?

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

• The 10 most common issues or symptoms RAMHP Coordinators

assisted with are presented above. More than one issue or symptom

can be selected for each person linked (N=1,703).

• The most common issue or symptom was stress (n=345, 20%).

• The issue drought (n=205, 12%) has remained the second most

common issue or symptom RAMHP Coordinators assist with since

this measure was first reported in August 2018.

• Change in behaviour (n=159, 9%) was the third most

frequent issue or symptom this quarter.

| 17

Chart 3: The Ten Most Frequent Symptoms Identified when Linking, Apr. – Jun. 2019

345

205

159

156

108

104

96

83

77

60

Stress

Drought

Change in behaviour

Work or financial concerns

Symptoms of an emerging mental health disorder

Pre-existing mental health disorder

Grief and loss

Relationship concerns

Disaster or adverse event

Other

Number of Times a Symptom is Selected

What Support Or Resources Were Suggested by RAMHP Coordinators?

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

• RAMHP Coordinators usually provide more than one type of

support or resource when they link (N=1,804).

• The most common support or resources provided by RAMHP

Coordinators were printed information (n=280, 16%), the

recommendation to visit a GP (n=279, 15%) and practical

strategies (n=222, 12%).

• Farmgate was added as an option to the RAMHP App in

December 2018. This will assist with collecting data on the

utilisation and activity of LHD Farmgate Counsellors (now

referred to as Drought Support Workers or Farming Family

Counsellors) funded under the NSW Government Drought

Package. There were 98 (5%) links to Farmgate Counsellors

this quarter.

| 18

Chart 4: Number of Times a Type of Support or Resource was Suggested, Apr. – Jun. 2019

280

279

222

165

160

98

86

73

73

64

62

37

36

26

26

24

15

15

15

14

13

12

8

1

Printed information

GP

I provided strategies

Website information, online therapy or e-mental health

Private specialist

Farmgate

MH Line or Accessline

Other mental health telephone support service

Rural assistance services

Employment support services

Other

Carer support service

Youth services

Social support group

Non-Gov MH Team

CMHT

Social worker

Family or relationship service

Housing assistance service

Emergency services

Material or financial assistance service

Alcohol or Other Drug Service

Education support services

Legal aid

Number of Times a Suggestion was Given

Coordinators’ Stories From Those We Help

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

I met an older woman who had

recently returned to the workforce

and was feeling discriminated

against at work. I encouraged her

to speak to her manager and to

access EAP.

I met a woman who expressed concern

about her elderly mother who has bipolar

and, more recently, dementia. The elderly

woman is now in a nursing home and the

woman I spoke with expressed feelings of

powerless to help. I encourage her to

advocate for her mother, but also explored

the need to look after herself in the process.

We talked about online forums as well as

accessing carer support services.

I was approached during a community event

by a woman who had lost her son to suicide

five years ago. She has ongoing concerns

about her husband and how he is managing

his grief. I referred her to a carers support

group and explained the Standby service.

I spoke with someone who had recently

found out they have a brain tumour. They felt

very fearful and alone. I encouraged them to

speak to EAP or a private psychologist. I

also normalised their feelings and

encouraged them to reach out for help from

others if needed. We had a big talk about

how difficult this person finds it to ask for

help.

I helped a woman looking for services to transfer

her care from Sydney for ongoing anxiety and an

eating disorder. I provided information about a

GP MHTP and referral to a local psychologist. I

also actively linked the woman to the Family &

Carer Mental Health Program for ongoing

support. I received a call from someone

concerned about their friend. The

friends husband recently had a

stroke and has become violent. I

encouraged them to speak with their

friend about accessing carers

supports, as well as speak to their

GP and specialists about at home

support including a safety plan.

| 19

How Much Training Was Delivered?

• From April – June 2019, 142 training courses were

delivered by RAMHP Coordinators.

• The most common training courses delivered were Tailored Training

(n=61, 43%), Workplace Support Skills (n=31, 22%), and Mental

Health First Aid (n=28, 20%).

• RAMHP Coordinators delivered training to 3,044 participants this

quarter. On average each course contained 22 participants. This

represented a 113% increase in participants from the previous

Quarter.

• The number of training courses and training participants this quarter

are the second highest since the RAMHP App was first used to

report this data in July 2016.

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 20

Chart 5: Number of Training Courses Delivered, by Course Type,

Oct. 2018 – Jun. 2019Chart 6: Number of Training Participants, Oct. 2018 – Jun. 2019

1,927

1,432

3,044

Oct-Dec 2018 Jan-Mar 2019 Apr-Jun 2019

Num

ber

of

Tra

inin

g P

art

icip

ants

Total number of training participants across all training courses

8 310

11 22

31

3117

6123

17

28

4

5

7

16

1

3

88

66

142

Oct-Dec 2018 Jan-Mar 2019 Apr-Jun 2019

Nu

mb

er

of

Trai

nin

g C

ou

rse

s

Quarter

CSS WSS HISS TT MHFA W&Y VW GTD Total

Who Did RAMHP Coordinators Train?

• Training courses were predominantly comprised of

government or council employees (n=22, 15%) and

primary industry (n=20, 14%).

• RAMHP completed delivery of training to WaterNSW staff

this quarter. This project, initiated in February 2019, involved

23 Workplace Support Skills courses delivered to 299 staff

across 15 towns.

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

Examples of Organisations Trained

• Tamworth Council

• Charles Sturt University Agriculture Students

• Nowra Community Mental Health Team

• Fling Theatre, Bega

• Byron Bay Community Centre

• NSW Farmers Wee Waa Branch

• Warialda Community College

• Kempsey Aboriginal Women's Wellbeing Group

• Sunshine Sugar

• Country Women's Association

| 21

Chart 7: Number of Training Courses, Audience Type, Apr. – Jun. 2019

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

3

3

3

5

6

8

9

12

14

14

16

20

22

AOD

Legal

Employment

Heavy industry

Disability

Sports

Physical health (eg medical)

Aboriginal

Carers

Housing

Other Private Business

Other

Youth

Mixed welfare services

Education

Mental health

Community group or organisation

General Community Members

Primary industry

Other government or council

Number of Training Courses

Au

die

nce

Typ

e

What Audiences Were Reached Through Community Events?

• RAMHP Coordinators attended a large number of farming (n=43,

32%) and general community (n=50, 37%) events.

• Farming events included Women in Dairy in Nowra, Local Land

Services Soil Workshops in Milton and Berry, the Drought Breaking

Bash in Temora, Boots Off – Share a Laugh in Hillston and Booligal

and Ladies In Livestock in Ebor, Bukkulla and Niangala.

• RAMHP Coordinators had direct contact with 2,360 visitors at these

events.

General RAMHP

Program UpdatesData Considerations

RAMHP Updates by

Program ComponentLINK TRAIN INFORM

| 22

Chart 8: Coordinator Attendance at Community Events, by Audience

Type, Apr. – Jun. 2019

1

1

2

2

3

6

7

8

11

43

50

Health staff

Other Private Business

LGBTI

Consumers

Professionals

Youth

Men

Aboriginal

Women

Farming

General community

Coordinator Attendance at Community Events

Au

die

nc

e T

yp

e

If you have any questions regarding the content of this Report, please contact:

Tessa Caton

Program Manager, RAMHP

Ph: 0484 339 996

Email: tessa.caton@newcastle.edu.au