Roma
Workshop
15th
March 2011
Local context
The
wider Roma community has a population of approximately 13200 with 8000
residents living in the town. The introduction of Coal Seam Gas mining to the
area has seen the community growing and changing. This has resulted in an increased number of
Motels and some services, higher service charges, higher rents and a large
proportion of the work population which does not live permanently in the
community. Strain has been put on the trade services with long waiting times to
access trades people. Employers have either lost their workers to the mining
industry or have to pay higher wages to keep their employees.
Cattle
grazing, grain production and forestry (cypress harvesting and milling) are the
main rural industries. The changes to
legislation (milling on public land has ceased) is expected to have an impact
on rural and milling industries
Roma
was described as a friendly town although the social networks have changed.
Where once, for example, people might
attend regular social events (eg tennis days) these activities have nearly become non
existent.
Issues impacting on uncertainty, stress and mental health
Participants
were asked to consider the specific issues that impacted
on their community – resulting from climate variability or other factors in
their rural and urban communities. The
issues raised are listed below:
Economic Stress
·
Commodity
Prices, same price at gate as 20 years ago, yet increased price on services and
goods· Affordable Housing
· Are we paying too much for products?
· Difference between the income of property and the cost of production
Government Policies and Regulations
·
Threat
to Cypress Industry, decreased employment, importing timber (present cypress
industry is sustainable)· Loss of control in decision making.
· Imposition of Rules and Regulations - PMAU and NLIS
· Native Title Issues.
· Does small population equate to small funding
Impact of Mining Industry
·
Is
mining good for the community?· Water quality
· Increased costs to labour due to competing with the mining industry
· Affordable housing - rents at $500/ week
· Coal seam gas?
Lack of Services
·
Patient
transport Subsidy Scheme, awareness and paperwork· Availability of General Practice doctors.
· Continuity of health service providers (not the same face each time)
· Education - lack of secondary opportunities in outer regions.
· Children have to go away.
· Supervisors needed for University courses.
· Practical training for the Agricultural industry
· Loss of Agricultural colleges
· More education facilities, TAFE, university opportunities for medical, engineering and financial.
· Apprenticeship incentives for employees and employers.
· Local tourism promotion lacking.
Social Concerns
·
Succession
planning – planning for the future sustainability of the family· People are just burnt out
· Fly In Fly Out, not part of the community
· Incentives to get the children to come back after formal education
· Aging population on our rural industry
· Because we live over the range we do not exist
Climate
·
Difficult
to work with seasonal climate extremes, can not predict
Current services and initiatives
Participants
pooled their knowledge of current programs and initiatives targeting mental
health and well being support. These are
listed below:
Facilities
·
Hospital
with emergency facility · Mental health respite services.
· Mental health Nursing Service
· Inclusion of health positions within organisations e.g. Council
· 4 – 6 General Practitioners
· Q Health - Adult, child, youth and older person Mental health support
· Spiritus – Family Mental health
· Centacare – Domestic Violence Counselling
· Rural Financial Counsellor
· QRAA
Community
·
Sports
Clubs· Service Clubs
· Rom Net – forum to talk about Men’s issues
· Churches
· Care outreach
Events
·
Pit
Stop· Men’s Health Nights
· Tie Up the Black Dog
· Men’s Shed
What gaps are there and where is the need?
After
reflecting on current initiatives and the issues faced in the region,
participants were asked to identify gaps that needed filling to complete the
support picture. These are listed below:
· 40 – 60 year age group have little support
· Awareness of availability of support
· On going therapy support
· Connections with men on properties
· Co-ordination
· Continuity of specialists
· Lack of services close by
· Financial gaps-running events, manpower, time
· Central information service e.g. web, stands and up to date
· Not enough people to service - for holiday leave and paper positions
· Cultural gaps in health professionalism
Steps that can be taken to address the gaps and needs
Participants
were asked to discuss and come up with specific needs or steps that
should/could be taken within the community to address gaps or build on current
initiatives. There suggestions are
listed below:
Services
·
More
mobile services· Service gaps, Autism spectrum (presently serviced by Occupational therapist)
· Employ a Mental health worker at the sale yards.
Events
·
Cultivate
social benefit Field days etc· Increase Social events that are easily accessible
· Big brother, Big sister program
Training
·
Training general Practitioners in Mental
Health Issues· Aussie host training – Respect for Customers
· Informal contact with training where farmers and graziers gather
· On line computer training
Foster Collaboration
· Co-ordination of Services
· Integrate referral system
Information Awareness
·
Paths
and Referrals for GPs and Mental issues· Longer appointment mandatory
· Notice board out at Saleyards with a list of available services
· Informal contact at saleyards with training
· Program to reach rural men.
Potential RIRDC contribution
From the list of
ideas and steps suggested, the following are proposed to be most relevant to
RIRDC:
· Advocate to governments for more services in rural communities – provide the basis and framework for directing funds that will address identified needs
