New Insights Into the Relationship Between Drought and Mental Health Emerging From the Australian Rural Mental Health Study

While it is recognized that drought affects mental health, few population-based longitudinal studies quantify this relationship. In this study, we investigate the effects of drought on mental health in a rural population, and how these effects change with continued exposure to drought conditions. Using a panel dataset consisting of 6,519 observations from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study, we found a non-linear (inverted U-shape) relationship between drought exposure and mental health. Specifically, people experienced an increase of psychological distress for the first 2.5–3 years of drought, after which time this distress dissipates. These effects were maintained after controlling for demographic, social, and environmental factors. We also found that while psychological distress decreases in the later stages of drought, this does not necessarily mean people have good mental health because, for example, factors such as life satisfaction decreased as drought persisted. This is important as it highlights the need for sustained support to mitigate the long-term effects of drought on mental health that persist after the drought has apparently finished.

Staying Connected: Consumer Experience of the Recovery Journey and Long-Term Engagement with a Rural Mental Health Clinic. Ethnographic Phenomenological Study.

Background: there has been much interest in recent years about the potential impact short-term therapy can have on those needing mental health support, relatively little attention has been paid to the needs of those who require longer term support. Methods: In an ethnographic study that incorporates a participatory action research (PAR) design, exploring long-term clients’ experiences of the recovery journey and the role of rural mental health support, a sample of 6 (n = 6) consumers who had a minimum of five years of continuous involvement with a community-based mental health clinic participated in a series of two focus groups. The first focus group examined consumers’ experiences of the recovery journey and the role of the clinic in supporting their journey. The second focus group involved a member-check that allowed for participant feedback on the researchers’ summary of themes that arose from the first session. In this way, participants were given voice in revising and shaping the thematic analysis, to share their lived experiences of illness, recovery and resilience. Results: Emerging findings demonstrate how the journeys shared highlight themes of contending with extreme violence, the importance of accessible ongoing support, and finding a reason to go on in the wake of devastating personal experiences. Interpretation: Themes of being too helpful as unhelpful, balancing relationship with being able to offer advice or a challenge and connection to people and places were all highlighted. Large part of what recovery meant and participants challenge and invitation to the practitioners of its meaning was voiced.