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Introduction: Farmers face a range of factors that negatively influence their mental health and suicide risk, yet have limited access to appropriate support. Behavioural activation (BA) is an evidence‐based therapy that can be effectively delivered by nonclinical workers. Working with members of farming communities to deliver BA to their peers has the potential to overcome many well‐established barriers to mental health help‐seeking and improve outcomes for this at‐risk group. Objective: This paper describes the findings of a co‐design phase informing the development of a peer (farmer)‐led approach for delivering BA for farmers living with depression or low mood. Design: This qualitative study used a co‐design approach involving members of the target community. Focus groups were transcribed and analysed using Thematic Analysis and the Framework approach. Findings: Ten online focus groups with 22 participants were held over 3 months. Four overarching, interlinked themes were identified: (i) filling the gap in rural mental health support; (ii) alignment with the farming context—tailoring how, where and when we engage about mental health; (iii) the 'messenger' is as important as the message; and (iv) sustainability, governance and support. Discussion: Findings suggest BA could be a contextually appropriate model of support for the farming community—given its practical and solution‐focused approach—and could help improve access to support. Having peer workers deliver the intervention was viewed as appropriate. Ensuring governance structures are developed to support peers to deliver the intervention will be essential to facilitate effectiveness, safety and sustainability. Conclusion: Insights gained through co‐design have been critical to the success of developing this new model of support for members of farming communities experiencing depression or low mood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper reports findings from a study that sought to better understand the experiences of parents and their children with emergent mental health challenges following the parent's participation in a nurse-led therapeutic group. Design: This was an explorative qualitative study using semi-structured interviews which were then thematically analysed. Setting: Findings from this single-site study are drawn from regional Australia. Participants: Twenty parents and seven of their children aged between 13 and 24. Interventions: Family systems based therapeutic group intervention delivered to the parents of young people attending headspace. Main outcome measure: In line with qualitative research approaches, the participants lived experience was the outcome measure. Result: Three key themes were found in the data: (a) improved parent-child relationships, (b) understanding and being understood and (c) multi-generational perspectives. Conclusion: Regional and remote regions are challenged with comparatively fewer and less diverse services for youth mental health than in urban centres. Findings from this exploratory study highlight that young people can experience therapeutic gains where their parents are the recipients of the intervention. Recommendations from these findings include pursuing further research on the therapeutic gains of parental family system-based groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This paper contributes to the literature on relocation for specialist care by providing findings on specific issues impacting on rural farmers and property owners who have to travel to the metropolitan area for specialist care for a haematological malignancy. Design and setting This paper uses descriptive qualitative research based on 45 interviews with patients with haematology in Queensland. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded and thematically analysed. Results In addition to issues of distance, farmers and rural property owners who have to relocate for specialist care must deal with problems associated with the lack of opportunity to take absence from the property because of the inescapable pressure of daily farm and property responsibilities and the high cost of, or lack of opportunity to, outsource daily maintenance. Further concerns include the cost of relocation in the context of continuing drought, serious problems sustaining the travel and time away required, and the lack of choice for some but to deal with treatment alone. Conclusion In recent years there has been considerable progress with regard to overcoming the distance barrier for rural and remote patients with cancer through innovative clinical models using technology and telemedicine. However, there has been limited uptake of such models for patients with haematology. The present findings indicate that from the perspective of rural farmers and property owners there are important reasons why the use of innovative strategies should be fostered and expanded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore rural residents' experiences of access to maternity care with consideration of the policy context. Design: This paper describes findings from focus groups with parents which formed part of case study data from a larger study. Setting: Four north Queensland rural towns. Participants: Thirty-three parents living in one of the four rural towns. Main outcome measures: Identifying prevalent themes in case studies regarding rural parents' expectations and experiences in accessing maternity care. Results: Parents desired a local, safe and consistent maternity service. Removing or downgrading rural services introduced new barriers to care for rural residents: (i) increased financial costs; (ii) family issues; and (iii) safety concerns. Conclusions: Although concerns about rural residents' health status and health care access have received significant policy attention for over a decade, many of the problems which prompted these policy initiatives remain today. Current policy approaches should be re-evaluated in order to improve rural Australians' access to vital health services such as maternity care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]