• Charles Sturt researchers have received a $34,995 grant from The Peregrine Centre to fund mental health employment research

Charles Sturt University academics have received a $34,995 grant to fund research into the conditions of non-government mental health workers.

The small grant is funded by NSW Health through The Peregrine Centre as part of the Rural Mental Health Partnership Grant initiative.

Led by Charles Sturt academics, ‘Addressing the need for effective recruitment, retention, and wellbeing of non-governmental organisation rural mental health staff: A pilot study’ aims to develop industry-focused resources to improve working conditions for psychiatrists through a range of workshops, conferences and discussions.

Researcher and Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts Dr Monica Short said worsening issues of recruitment, retention and wellbeing of rural mental health staff are negatively impacting rural populations’ access to quality mental health services.

“Contemporary and innovative evidence-based research is needed to get to the heart of the issues, respond to diverse contexts and develop strategies that are implementable in the workplace,” Dr Short said.

“The non-government organisation (NGO) sector provides 25 per cent of mental health services in rural NSW, about which significantly less research exists.

“Our research shows that an in-depth exploration of strategies already being used by NGOs for recruitment, retention and wellbeing of staff can inform a range of industry resources to serve the entire mental health sector and drive policy in this area.”

The team has already conducted seven workshops for staff in NGOs providing rural mental health services and/or supports and presented at the 10^th International Conference of Social Work in Health and Mental Health.

The research is currently wrapping up the co-operative inquiry stage with one outstanding workshop to be held. As data is gathered and analysed, the Charles Sturt research team will also undertake a scoping review to present what is already known on the topic.

Positive feedback about the research has been received so far, with one testimonial from Ms Jemma Hemsted at Standby Support after Suicide in South-East NSW sharing her thoughts on participation.

“I was talking to my coordinator for my end of year performance and development review, and she asked me ‘what was your highlight for the year?’ And I said, ‘the highlight of my 2024 was being part of the co-operative inquiry,” Ms Hemsted’s testimonial read.

Dr Short said the project will be completed by mid-2025, and resources addressing recruitment, retention and wellbeing of mental health staff will be made freely available to those in the Southern and Murrumbidgee Local Health Districts.

“These resources will include strategies, fact sheets, journal articles and a report, and the results will also be disseminated via presentations and publications,” she said.

The research is being conducted in collaboration with The Peregrine Centre and staff from partner organisations including Standby, 54 Reasons, Roundsquared and Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT, as well as from rural NGOs in the Southern and Murrumbidgee Local Health District regions.

Fellow Charles Sturt researchers involved include Lecturer in Philosophy Dr Emma Rush; Lecturer in Psychology Dr Nicola Ivory, Research Officer Dr Ella Dixon and Director of Advancement Ms Sarah Ansell.

If you would like to join the email list, please contact Dr Ella Dixon edixon@csu.edu.au.