Mental health issues and resources in rural and regional communities: an exploration of perceptions of service providers.
OBJECTIVE
To identify service providers' and community organisations' perceptions of the resources available to support people with mental illness and the unmet needs of this client group in rural Queensland.


METHODS
An exploratory study was undertaken involving focus group interviews across the study sites.


METHODS
Five regional towns in rural Queensland.


METHODS
Ten to 14 members were recruited for each of the five focus groups. The groups represented a diverse mix of participants including health and community service providers and representatives from community organisations.


RESULTS
Participants identified gaps in services in relation to health, employment and education, housing and accommodation, transport and social inclusion and health promotion. Inter-service communication and inappropriate funding models were themes affecting service delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
Specific service issues of housing and transport were identified to be particularly problematic for people with mental illness across all towns. Intersectoral communication and funding models require further research.
Turpin
Merrill
M
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. m.turpin@shrs.uq.edu.au
Bartlett
Helen
H
Kavanagh
David
D
Gallois
Cindy
C
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003256:Community Participation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000458:organization & administration; D017144:Focus Groups; D006292:Health Priorities; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006295:Health Resources / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011638:Public Housing; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011793:Queensland; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014186:Transportation