Media Releases

The Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (ACRRMH) is delighted that one of its key consultants, singer-songwriter John Schumann, was presented with the Momentum Forum’s Award for the Most Inspiring Man of 2012 for his work in mental health at the ‘Men in Black’ Ball at the Perth Hyatt on Saturday 2^nd June.

The current spate of media interest in the effects of fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in/drive-out (DIDO) and the House of Representative’s Standing Committee’s inquiry into FIFO workforce practices are heartening but are missing the wider point, according to Dr Jennifer Bowers, Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health.

“The fact is that FIFO and DIDO are just two stressors among many that have negative impacts on the mental health of mining and remote construction workers. There are plenty of others,” said Dr Bowers.

The Australasian Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health’s (ACRRMH) recent mental health music roadshow through drought and flood-ravaged regions of Queensland was a powerful demonstration of the ability of the arts to make a real difference on the mental health landscape, according to the Centre’s CEO, Dr Jennifer Bowers.

“The ACRRMH partnered with John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew band (ABC/Universal), to tour four drought and flooded-affected Queensland communities in February,” said Dr Bowers.

“The concerts were combined with specialised mental health recovery support and information tailored for rural people and their communities.”

Psychs on Bikes - Adventure before Dementia !!

Raising hell and money (OK, mainly money) on a motorcycle ride across Australia

On Saturday April 14th, a motley crew of psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health nurses will rumble out of Perth’s Cottlesloe Beach on motorbikes aiming to reach Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday April 22nd.

Riding through some pretty harsh and remote country, the “Psychs on Bikes” will be raising money for the Australasian Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health (ACRRMH), an organisation with a rapidly growing reputation for delivering innovative and effective mental health programmes in rural and remote Australia.

Some forward-thinking mining and resource companies are realising that incorporating mental health into OH&S policies and practices pays off in terms of productivity and profit, according to Chief Executive of the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (ACRRMH), Dr Jennifer Bowers.

"However, in the blokey world of mining and resources, too often mental health is stigmatised and not seen as a 'safe' topic," said Dr Bowers.

"Mental health is not currently considered a 'safe' topic for discussion in the blokey world of mining and resources. A major shift in culture is critical and it must be driven from the top down", according to Dr Bowers, the Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (ACRRMH).

Even though the catastrophic floods across Queensland have yet to subside, now is the time to ensure that the recovery 'road-map' addresses mental health resilience and recovery as well as the rebuilding and restoration of physical infrastructure, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (ACRRMH), Dr Jennifer Bowers.

The devastation caused by the recent floods across the eastern part of rural and remote Australia prompted the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (ACRRMH) to reiterate its call for a comprehensive National Report to map factors affecting mental health and well-being in rural and remote Australians.

"The Centre strongly supports Professor Patrick McGorry's media statements this morning drawing attention to the very significant impact these floods are having on the mental health of individuals and communities in rural and remote Australia," said Dr Jennifer Bowers, CEO of ACRRMH.

Mental health in the mining industry is, as yet, a largely unacknowledged issue but far-sighted senior mining executives and other stakeholders are about to confront the challenge, according to the Chief Executive of the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (ACRRMH), Dr Jennifer Bowers.

"The entrapment and subsequent rescue of the Chilean miners reminds us, yet again, just how dangerous mining is. Mental health is a big player on the OH&S stage in the mining and resources sectors but right now its name doesn't appear on the program. This is clearly a matter to be addressed at the very senior level, - owners, senior executives and indeed boards," Dr Bowers said.