Rural mental health

This network has been created for mental health professionals across regional, rural and remote areas of Hunter New England to connect, explore emerging and innovative models of care and strengthen multidisciplinary, collaborative care at an initial face-to-face event, in Tamworth on May 19, 2026.

A follow up three-part 2-hr evening series in partnership with the Peregrine Centre has been scheduled for July 2nd, July 30th and 27th August 2026.

Click to find out more and register

This network is coordinated by The Peregrine Centre, a social impact studio with a focus on supporting mental health service delivery. The Peregrine Centre holds the Rural Mental Health Partnership with NSW Health, a five-year partnership delivering research and training activities to support the practice of rural practitioners around NSW.

The Riverland Mental Health Professionals’ Network brings together mental health professionals from the Riverland region of South Australia (our area will encompass - Riverland locations including Berri, Renmark, Barmera, Loxton, and Waikerie) to connect, share insights, and collaborate in a safe and supportive environment.

Our bi-monthly meetings feature a mix of guest speakers, resource sharing, and case-based discussions, all focused on promoting timely, effective, and multidisciplinary care for Riverland communities.

The network is hybrid, offering both in-person and online participation to make engagement easy and accessible for everyone.

Join the network to be added to the mailing list and receive invitations to future meetings.

 **All new members are encouraged to please complete the Express of Interest (EOI) Form**

Objectives of Network:

• Create networking opportunities to reduce isolation among practitioners
• Provide the time and space to support bi-monthly self-care gatherings

Operations of the Network:

• Bi-monthly online meetings with occasional in-person meetings at Coordinator’s discretion
• Invited guest speaker/panel opportunities
• Peer contributions shared and welcomed 
• Attendance at a majority of meetings preferred
• Annual review of the group and its function

Save the Dates:

Please mark your calendar with the 2026 meeting dates:

• Tuesday 3 February 2026 (F2F) | Stronger Together: Connecting Minds in the Riverland – Inaugural Session
• Tuesday 7 April 2026 (Online) | Safety Planning and IAR-DST Assessments: A Journal Review and Group Discussion
• Tuesday 2 June 2026 (F2F)
• Tuesday 4 August 2026 (F2F)
• Tuesday 20 October 2026 (Online) | Report back from 50th International Mental Health Nursing Conference 
• Tuesday 1 December 2026 (F2F)

Network Coordinators: Carol-Ann Stanborough & Melanie Gilgen

Carol-Ann and Melanie are Mental Health Nurses with a genuine passion for building meaningful connections and championing multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen mental health care.

Carol-Ann Stanborough (Lecturer Rural and Remote Mental Health | Mental Health Academic- teaching and research, Flinders University Dept of Rural Health -Renmark SA)

Carol-Ann is Registered Nurse/ midwife / mental health nurse with 30+ years of living & working in rural and remote areas. Experienced manager, leader, clinical educator and mental health nurse. Her vision is to impart practical mental health knowledge to university staff, students, industry workforce, and local communities through creation and delivery of accessible mental health education and training. Her current research includes the collaboration with UniSA & Australian Teletrials evaluating the 'Hearing Voices that are Distressing' simulation workshops re the impact of having a co-facilitator with lived experience, and how this changes practice of health and social care workers.

Melanie Gilgen (Portfolio Coordinator and Mental Health Clinician, FocusOne Health Berri, SA)

Melanie is Registered Nurse, Midwife and Credentialed Mental Health Nurse with experience across metropolitan, rural and remote communities, acute care, general practice and NGOs. Her vision to create a connected network that supports and nurtures mental health clinicians from students through to experienced clinicians and beyond to feel included, heard and valued in their work, listens to and understands their challenges and provides peer support and guidance.

This network connects clinicians, early researchers, and students working in mental health within palliative care across rural Southern NSW and North East Victoria, including Albury, Wangaratta, and surrounding shires (Federation Shire, Indigo Shire, Hume Shire, Snowy Valley Shire, Berrigan Shire, Murrumbidgee Shire, Rural Cities of Albury and Wangaratta).

The Network provides a safe, collaborative space for peer support, case discussion, reflective practice, and professional development while aiming to enhance clinical competence, integrated care, referral pathways, and family and carer support. By sharing resources, mentoring, and rural-focused strategies, this Network also aims to enhance workforce capability, improve access and equity, and foster evidence-informed, multidisciplinary palliative care across these regional communities.

Join the network to be added to the mailing list and receive invitations to future meetings.

 **All new members are encouraged to please complete the Express of Interest (EOI) Form**

Save the Dates:

Please mark your calendar with the 2026 online meeting dates, all held from 6:30–8:00pm (NSW/VIC time):

• Wednesday 18 February 2026 | Mental Health in Palliative Care in Rural Communities - Inaugural Session
• Wednesday 15 April 2026 | Caring at the Crossroads: Mental Health in Palliative Settings
• Wednesday 17 June 2026 | Navigating Death and Dying: Aboriginal Perspectives in Palliative Care in Remote, Rural and Regional Settings
• Wednesday 21 August 2026

• Wednesday 21 October 2026
  

SEEKING NEW COORDINATOR: Could you be the Forster and Taree Mental Health Professionals Network's new Network Coordinator? You’ll play a key role in supporting a community of practitioners who value multidisciplinary collaboration.

Join the Forster and Taree Network if you’d like to meet with practitioners in your local area to discuss the mental health issues relevant to your community. The network meets bimonthly, in-person. Meetings provide access to guest speakers, peer support, case study discussions, and local service updates. Join the network to be added to the mailing list and be invited to future meetings.