Rural Minds toolkit

In July 2003 Rural Minds published a Rural Policy Toolkit to help mental health service practitioners (statutory and voluntary) to implement Mind's Policy on Rural Issues and Mental Health and to support the development of mental health services in rural areas.

Mind's Policy on Rural Issues and Mental Health aims to:

• increase understanding of mental distress in rural areas  
• extend choice for rural users
• recognise the cultural diversity of rural communities
• develop partnership working
• provide better access to services
• use information technology appropriately
• reach out to farming communities
• take account of the rural premium
• reduce stigma.

The Toolkit gives examples of how service providers can implement these recommendations and highlights projects and initiatives that have helped to improve the quality of life for those affected by mental illness or distress in rural communities.

The Toolkit comprises three handbooks:

Handbook one: Rural issues and contacts
Handbook two: Policies and services
Handbook three: Ideas, activities and support.

Handbook one: Rural issues and contacts

This handbook presents a brief overview of the key issues relating to mental health in rural communities. It also contains a bibliography and a directory of useful contacts.

Use Handbook one if you need:

• an introduction to the issues affecting rural mental health
• facts and figures
• contact details of relevant organisations.

Handbook two: Policies and services

This handbook contains information on how service providers may be affected by government legislation, for example, by the laws covering disability discrimination. It also gives some examples of good practice in rural service provision.

Use Handbook two if you need:

• advice about creating and implementing policies
• suggestions about good practice in service provision.

Handbook three: Ideas, activities and support

Handbook three concentrates on action. Designed for users, carers, survivors and those who work with them, this section gives examples of some of the ways people are making life better for themselves and their communities, for example, by coping with rural isolation or by challenging rural racism.

Use Handbook three if you need:

• ideas for local schemes and activities
• examples of successful projects.