Where to From Here? - Rural and Remote Mental Health Conference 2008

The WA Country Health Service hosted the annual Rural and Remote Mental Health Conference at the Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton on the 5, 6 and 7 November 2008.

This year’s conference theme was “Where to from here?”, with presentations that showcased examples of current and future initiatives in the mental health arena that will assist in determining service models, planning and direction for the future. The key elements being:

• Workforce development
• Consumers and Carers
• Accommodation
• Recovery
• Workforce – lack of

Not only did the conference offer delegates the opportunity to investigate ways of introducing innovative and practical solutions in their clinical work, but it also has been an opportunity to meet with leading mental health practitioners who manage and deliver Statewide services.

The venue was the Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton. Renowned as one of WA's premier tourist destinations, Geraldton is rich in history, culture and tradition and is an ideal conference and convention location. The Platinum Sponsors of this event were the WA Country Health Service and the Mental Health Division, Department of Health, Western Australia. Keynote Speakers were: Dr Steve Patchett - Executive Director, WA Mental Health Barbara Hocking - Executive Director, SANE Australia Professor Bruce Singh - Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne Isobel Collins - Director, Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council Dr Andrew Campbell – Consultant Psychiatrist John Lesser - President, Mental Health Review Board of Victoria Dr Ken Fielke - Clinical Director, Country Mental Health South Australia Ron Coleman – Mental Health Trainer and Consultant To view these presentations and more please go to the top of the page and click on Speaker Presentations.