2019 - International Rural Mental Health Conference
Tackling Isolation and Foster Connection
It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the first biennial International Conference on Rural Mental Health, being held at Inverness College UHI in the Highlands of Scotland.
This conference has been born out of collaboration between the University of the Highlands and Islands and Texas A&M University-Kingsville that stretches back to 2015. Dr. Bain has twice brought a group of counselling graduate students on a study abroad trip to Inverness and Dr. Munoz has twice been a visiting scholar to the Department of Educational Leadership and Counselling in Kingsville, Texas. Together, we have presented work at the National Association of Rural Mental Health conference in San Diego (2017) and the Rethinking Remote Conference in Inverness (2018). We share a passion for helping support mental health, wellbeing and service provision within rural communities.
In visiting each other’s rural areas of work, have been intrigued, and sometimes surprised, by the commonalities South Texas and the Scottish Highlands share in terms of rural mental health challenges but also in terms of community spirit. This is one of the reasons that we feel rural mental health must be tackled as an issue that spans national boundaries.
We are delighted to be launching the Global Collaborative for Rural Mental Health (GRMC) at this conference. We hope that the GCRMH will act as a focal point for sharing knowledge and insights, as well as international advocacy and awareness on rural mental health.
It is wonderful to see the variety of speakers at this first International Conference on Rural Mental Health – from both rural Highlands and beyond. The mixture of speakers from academia, health services and third sector organisations will undoubtedly make for an interesting and worthwhile two days.
We very much hope that you enjoy your time at the conference and in Inverness.
We also hope that you will consider signing up for the second International Rural Mental Health Conference, which is planned to be held in Kingsville, Texas in early 2021!
With best wishes,
Dr. Sarah-Anne Munoz
Dr. Steve F. Bain
MONDAY 12TH AUGUST 2019
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09.30 |
Registration |
Poster Viewing and Exhibitions
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Atrium |
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10.00 |
Welcome |
Sandra MacRury, UHI Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing and the Scottish Rural Health Partnership |
Lecture Theatre |
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10.15 |
Key Note |
Partnership not working in isolation is the key to implementing service at scale. Chris Wright, Service Development Manager, NHS 24 |
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10.45 |
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International Collaboration for Rural Mental Health Dr Alan Rasmussen, Texas A&M University – Kingsville Michael Rayner, Dean of Research, UHI. |
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10.55 |
Plenary (1) |
Launch of the Global Collaborative for Rural Mental Health Dr. Sarah-Anne Munoz, UHI and Dr. Steve F. Bain, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
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11.15 |
Break |
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11.30 |
Plenary (2) |
International Perspectives on Rural Mental Health Scotland – Frances Simpson, Support In Mind Scotland Australia – Prof. David Perkins, Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (VC) USA – Dr. Steve Bain, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
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Lecture Theatre |
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12.30 |
Lunch |
Poster Viewing and Exhibition
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Atrium |
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13.30 |
Breakouts (1) |
A) Rural Mental Health and Digital Technologies (workshop) Lead by: Dr. Mark Grindle, Senior Lecturer in Digital Health, UHI Mark reports back on the status of Wildlife – A case study in the use of an innovative digital narrative approach to improving mental health in adolescents that is taking place in rural locations in 3 lower middle income countries. Mark has used his Digital Narrative Transformation Framework to engage and motivate participants of all ages across a range of health outcomes. This interactive session involves you in the process of storytelling and shows how engaging with nature, biodiversity and sustainability narratives may impact adolescents’ positive mental health and wellbeing.
B) Learning from Lived Experience (Panel Session) Chair: Frances Simpson, Support in Mind Scotland Focusing on the importance of putting lived experience at the heart of addressing challenges in our communities
C) Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Rural Workforce (Paper Session) Chair: Prof. George Gunn, SRUC Robert Villa, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Rurality: Social Forces and Mental Health. Kate Stephen, SRUC. The Impacts of Disease Outbreak in Beef Cattle on the Mental Wellbeing of Livestock Farmers and Connectedness in the Farming Community. Presentation Andrew Smithsimmons & Dr Alison Robertson, Internet-enabled psychological therapies: Reaching new populations to change isolation into connection Presentation Shirley Evans, University of Worcester. The UK Meeting Centre Support Programme: Supporting People Affected by Dementia Presentation
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15.30 |
Break |
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16.00 |
Plenary (3) |
Isolation and Loneliness Mark O’Donnell, Chief Executive of Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded Presentation
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Lecture Theatre |
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16.30 |
Closing Remarks |
Sandra MacRury, UHI Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing and the Scottish Rural Health Partnership
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Lecture Theatre |
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16.45 - 1830 |
Reception |
Drinks reception and award for best poster Option to join Velocity for a short bike ride within Inverness Campus (places limited) |
Atrium |
TUESDAY 13TH AUGUST 2019
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09.30 |
Registration |
Poster Viewing and Exhibition
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Atrium |
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10.00 |
Welcome |
Sarah-Anne Munoz, Reader in Rural Health and Wellbeing, UHI
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Lecture Theatre |
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10.15 |
Plenary (4) |
Creativity, Community and Dementia Care in Rural Areas of Highlands (Scotland) and Kyushu (Japan) Karrie Marshall, Creativity in Care CIC
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10.45 |
Breakouts (2) |
D) Rural Mental Health Research and Scholarship Chaired by Dr Steve Bain, Texas A&M University Kelly Hall, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The Delphi Method: Engaging Rural Community Members in Mental Health. Shad Nelson, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Improving Mental Health through Horticultural Therapy. Kristopher Garza, Corpus Christi Independent School District Students Support. Engaging Rural Schools for Mental Health Service Deliverables. E) Community-led Initiatives for Rural Mental Health and Wellbeing (paper session) Chaired by Dr. Anna Terje, University of the Highlands and Islands Joanne McCoy, LGOWIT Highland, Community Led Cooperative Design, Delivery and Evaluation of Conditions Self-Management Interventions in Rural Areas. Judith James-Davis, Lochaber Hope. Suicide and Social Isolation Prevention in Lochaber. Ann McDonald, HSCN. Building Age Friendly Communities in Highland. Presentation Louise Christie, Scottish Recovery Network. Making Recovery Real in Moray.Presentation
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12.45 |
Lunch |
Poster Viewing and Exhibition
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Atrium |
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13.45 |
Plenary (5) |
Social isolation and technological approaches in Scottish islands: Western Isles and Shetland Martin Malcolm, NHS Western Isles; Dr. Louise McCabe, University of Stirling Presentation
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Lecture Theatre |
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14.15 |
Close |
Sarah-Anne Munoz, Reader in Rural Health and Wellbeing, UHI
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14.15 – 15.15 |
Additional Workshop |
Counselling young people in rural Schools: A Strategic Approach Dr. Steve Bain Texas A&M University & Dr Kristopher Garza, Texas A&M University.
The presenters will seek to review the latest data associated with providing the latest data associated with mental health services to rural schoolchildren. Participants will learn the significance of collaborative arrangements with the school administration, mental health professionals, and community resources as well as how to initiate those cooperative agreements. Participants will also review a variety of evidence-based behavioural, therapeutic, and crisis-related interventions related to young people. Mental Health Aftermath of Crisis |
Lecture Theatre |
A full copy of the programme is available here.