One-third of older adults live in rural and regional (rural) Australia, exacerbating geographical issues of access to mental health services and supports in a group less likely to seek such assistance than either younger or urban cohorts. Common in older adults, chronic health concerns and comorbidities exacerbate mental ill-health, whilst rates of suicide and self-harm are higher in rural Australia despite the incidence of mental illness being comparable to urban areas, reiterating the vulnerability of this population. Consequently, this project aimed to explore the perspectives of older adults (65 years and older) and carers of older adults who have experienced mental ill-health (either clinical diagnosis or self-reported symptoms) whilst living in rural Australia.
A thematic analysis approach was utilised to understand the experiences of living with mental ill-health and the specific challenges and enablers determining access to rural health services supporting mental wellbeing. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and individually analysed to identify key themes.
Seven older people and six carers of older people agreed to be interviewed. Four major themes emerged from the data: acknowledging the complexity of mental health, appreciating the multiple dimensions of the caring role, navigating connection to services, and understanding the broader impact of community.
Collectively, the findings present current barriers for older adults and their carers, as well as opportunities to improve support and provide real-world foundations on which to develop person-centred resources and strategies to meet the mental health needs of rural older Australians, while potentially reducing stigma associated with accessing care.