Mitchell Workshop

Mitchell Workshop

14^th March 2011

Local context

There was a strong message from participants that the Mitchell community (between 800-1,100 people in town and another 1000 or so in wider area) was a very inclusive and supportive community (“unbelievable!”).  This included excellent relationships between the indigenous (approximately 21%) and non-indigenous community.  There is a good mix of age groups – with a slightly higher number of older people.  The state school is P-10 (also a Catholic primary school).  There is wide community concern that the current aged care facility is at risk of closure (a bus has already been taken away).  

The district was mainly agriculturally focused with sheep, cattle, goats (large goat trader), wild pig and kangaroo harvesting (also establishing human consumption industry).  There was a large loss of people when the saw-mill was closed (burnt down) – it has since been noted that the sawmill has been rebuilt.  A number of mining families live in the community with workers flying out to work on the mines.

Issues impacting on uncertainty, stress and mental health

The following issues were highlighted as community concerns which added to uncertainty, stress and impacted on mental health:

Lack of Services

·         Centrelink – lack of support services

·         Lack of bus at aged care facility (also used for other community purposes)

·         Council amalgamation has resulted in a loss of some services to Roma

·         No mental health support

·         Lack of youth worker, centre, activities and health services

·         No permanent doctor – fly-in/fly-out (long waiting times)

·         Services for under 5’s – daycare; kindy

Social structure and local economy

·         Aging population – and above average age of landholders

·         Rising costs – groceries, electricity, freight

·         All too busy – less family time (both parents work)

·         Families – stress with spouse working in rigs – alcohol/DV related issues

·         Children need to go elsewhere for senior highschool – or travel long distances to school

Attitudes

·         Rural producers are blamed for a lot of problems (clearing, greenhouse, water use etc) – impacts on their standing in the community

·         Men’s health – attitudes towards going to doctors/health screening, addressing mental health – stigma

Government Process

·         Lack of support of local businesses by government firms and insurance companies

·         Unnecessary paperwork/forms from bean-counters

·         Uncertainty – land tenure/future

·         Tree clearing/restrictions – government interference – impact on health

·         Decision-making made away from local situation – don’t understand local issues

·         Carbon/flood taxes and their implications

Context

·         Extreme climate variability

·         Coal seam gas – impact on Great Artesian Basin – fears of water supply/quality

·         Over-dramatisation by the media

Stories were shared of the tragedy of local suicides and also heartbreak with lack of medical transport.

Current services and initiatives

Participants shared their knowledge of local services and initiatives that support/had targeted community well being.  These are listed below:

Facilitates and Services

·         Hospital – multi-purpose; allied health visits (from Roma); community packages; community health nurse

·         Retirement Village (under siege)

·         MARS – Maranoa And Regional Support Service – Mums & Bubs; Disability support

·         MHEP - Maranoa health Enhancement program – depression support group; Men’s group; Tie up the black dog event (130 attended)

·         QHealth – Health nights; Pit Stop (focus on men – also looking at one for women)

·         CWAATSSICH – Charleville and Western Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Community Health – screening; diet etc

·         School breakfast Club – visiting chaplain; indigenous Qld Health Worker

·         Churches – 2/3 – no permanent minister

·         Rotary – runs information events  e.g. Beyond Blue; Bowel cancer; Childhood diseases

·         Sports Clubs – Bowls; football; Pony Clubs; Cricket; Golf (not Dunk Hill club has Sunday afternoon “Church” at the club; polocross

·         Other community organisations – show society; CWA; Great Endeavour Rally

·         Meals on Wheels

·         Rural Financial Counsellors – provide assistance to primary producers and small rural businesses. (There was strong support from participants for the role of financial counsellors in the community.) 

What gaps are there and where is the need?

Gaps were identified in current initiatives and services in relation to providing needed support for communities under stress.

Training

·         Lack of training opportunities – including apprenticeships

·         Lack of skills in applying for funding and grants for rural communities

·         Lack of people skills in university trained nurses – need to get back to basics

Information and communication

·         Communication re information on health topics

·         Gaps in getting word out and getting participation

·         Changing the mindset – recognition of the issue

·         Lack of opportunity to express concerns

·         Lack of communication between services – coordination issues

Activities

·         Lack of follow-up support needed from activities – e.g. mental health days

Services

·         Lack of permanent doctor

·         Lack of transport for medical needs

·         Lack of childcare and after school care

·         Lack of education above P-10

Steps that can be taken to address the gaps and needs

The following steps were identified to address some of the issues and indentified gaps:

·         Running workshops – and measuring success, including follow-up and having information days

·         Putting mental health out there – address social stigma

·         Hold a Mental Health First-aid workshop in Mitchell

·         Establish RTO/training capacity in Mitchell – training officer; computer; education; apprenticeships

·         Advocate for school to go to Year 12

·         Provide community funding to use local newspaper (now monthly – could be fortnightly) – dealing with specific health issues and information

·         Access more funding for community activities including Landcare, sporting clubs, seniors and support groups

·         Find funding for services such as daycare and a new retirement village

·         Advocate to retain services already here such as hospital, retirement village, roads – and regain bus (funding proposal already in)

Potential RIRDC contribution

Based on the needs and what is already happening in the strong community, it could be see that the type of support and organisation like RIRDC could provide is:

·         Provision of resources/training packages on advocacy (for community resources) and applying for funding for the community