Help at the End of the Line?What does analysis of rural and remote calls to SANE Helplinetell us about mental health needs in the country?

Paul Morgan BA (Hons), MA, DipInf, PhDSANE Australia – the national mental health charity

SANE AustraliaHelping all Australians affected by mental illness lead a better life.

SANE Helpline 1800 18 SANENational. Free. Confidential. Professional. Multichannel.

SANE Helpline Rural + remote calls

SANE Helpline Rural + remote calls10,000+ Helpline calls a year

SANE Helpline Rural + remote calls10,000+ Helpline calls a year39% Rural and remote callers

SANE Helpline Rural + remote calls10,000+ Helpline calls a year39% Rural and remote callers67% Female

SANE Helpline Rural + remote calls10,000+ Helpline calls a year39% Rural and remote callers67% Female50% Consumer

SANE Helpline Rural + remote calls10,000+ Helpline calls a year39% Rural and remote callers67% Female50% Consumer41% Carer

SANE Helpline Rural + remote calls10,000+ Helpline calls a year39% Rural and remote callers67% Female50% Consumer40% Carer6% Suicide-related

SANE Helpline Rural + remote callsMany more similarities than differences to metropolitan calls

More calls from health professionals10% Calls from rural and remote health professionals

compared to 7% in Australia as a whole

Fewer people in treatment36% Calls about people in treatment

compared to 40% in Australia as a whole

Fewer online contacts4% Online contacts with the SANE Helpline

compared to 17% in Australia as a whole.

Difficult to access servicesLong waiting lists to see mental health professionalsLong distances to travel for appointments

Undiagnosed callers19% One in five callers had not seen a GP or other health

professional for assessment and diagnosis

Reluctance to seek helpConcerns about stigma and privacy.

Less information availableSome GPs less well-enabled to handle mental health issues.Callers express need for help but less informed about symptoms + support.

Support is the #1 need55% Over half of callers were not calling about clinical issues but

about support in the community: accommodation, employment,

social isolation, family support and other human concerns

ConclusionsMany of the challenges are familiar (workforce, access, privacy)

ConclusionsMany of the challenges are familiar (workforce, access, privacy)Youth services for early intervention

ConclusionsMany of the challenges are familiar (workforce, access, privacy)Youth services for early interventionOnline services for accessible, confidential treatment

ConclusionsMany of the challenges are familiar (workforce, access, privacy)Youth services for early interventionOnline services for accessible, confidential treatmentBetter information + promotion of services via health professionals

ConclusionsMany of the challenges are familiar (workforce, access, privacy)Youth services for early interventionOnline services for accessible, confidential treatmentBetter information + promotion of services via health professionalsBetter promotion of first-stop Helpline services

ConclusionsMany of the challenges are familiar (workforce, access, privacy)Youth services for early interventionOnline services for accessible, confidential treatmentBetter information + promotion of services via health professionalsBetter promotion of first-stop Helpline servicesBetter-funded, ‘smarter’ mental health and support services

www.sane.org