Institute for Mental Health Seminar Series

Despite growing recognition of health inequalities, the impact of place on mental health remains insufficiently understood. Rural communities are frequently viewed as healthier environments in which to live, yet many people experience significant challenges in accessing timely and appropriate mental health support. Geographical isolation, transport limitations, workforce shortages, digital exclusion, stigma and poverty can combine to create substantial barriers to care, particularly for those with the greatest need.

This seminar will explore the evidence surrounding rural mental health inequalities and consider why rurality matters for mental health research, policy and service delivery. Drawing on a programme of research focused on rural mental health, the presentation will examine how place influences experiences of prevention, help-seeking, crisis care, severe mental illness, co-occurring mental health and substance use difficulties, and suicide prevention.

The seminar will discuss the NIHR funded THRIVE programme (Partnership between University of Worcester and IMH) highlighting the importance of working in partnership with communities, health and care services, emergency services, voluntary organisations and people with lived experience to identify priorities for change and develop locally relevant solutions.

The presentation will argue that reducing mental health inequalities requires greater attention to the interaction between people, place and services. It will conclude by considering how research can support more equitable, responsive and sustainable approaches to mental health care in rural communities and why rural mental health should be viewed as a national inequality issue rather than a niche concern. aspects of interpersonal and social environments.

Professor Elizabeth Hughes is Professor of Mental Health Inequalities at the University of Worcester and Lead of the Rural Mental Health Research Unit. A mental health nurse by background, she has more than 20 years of experience in mental health research and has led a range of NIHR and other externally funded studies focused on improving mental health services and reducing inequalities.

Her research interests include rural mental health, suicide prevention, severe mental illness, co-occurring mental health and substance use, public involvement in research, and inter-agency responses involving health, social care, policing and emergency services. She currently leads the THRIVE programme, which is developing research partnerships and priorities to address mental health inequalities in rural communities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.