Australian rural first responders often experience significant mental health effects because of responding to traumatic emergency situations in the pre-hospital setting. Rural first responders may have different experiences and require different mental health interventions than their metropolitan counterparts.
This project used an iterative Delphi study to explore key issues related to mental health for rural first responders and describe how the experience can be overcome or alleviated.
First responders, such as police and paramedics, routinely face traumatic and violent situations, contributing to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Their stress has been intensified by recent crises including natural disasters and pandemics. Rural first responders often encounter unique mental health challenges and may receive different support compared to those in urban areas.
To investigate these disparities, an iterative Delphi study was conducted. Researchers gathered statements from existing literature that highlighted the mental health impacts of trauma on rural Australian first responders, as well as strategies for mitigation. These statements formed the basis of a survey distributed via the Qualtrics platform.
Participants included two expert panels: rural first responders and Australian health professionals experienced in trauma-related intervention. Their insights were used to identify key mental health concerns, propose support strategies, and inform the development of guidelines for government and health agencies. This study generated previously unavailable data, providing a foundation for targeted initiatives to improve rural first responders’ mental wellbeing.
To identify key issues and initiatives/strategies for first responder mental health, to explore resilience skills to overcome or manage mental health issues for first responders in rural Australia and develop a questionnaire and guidelines that can be used by health clinicians and health care services to deliver mental health care to first responders in rural areas of Australia.
Research question 1: What are the key mental health issues for first responders working in rural Australia?
Research question 2: How is the mental health and resilience of first responders affected by rurality?
Research question 3: What initiatives/strategies or resilience skills can be used to help first responders in rural Australia respond to and better manage their mental health?
Project period
1 March 2024 to 1 March 2026
Project funding
$340,000 Medical Research Future Funds (MRFF Early to Mid-Career Researchers)
Field of Research
Mental health services (420313)
Paramedicine (320219)
Workplace wellbeing and quality of working life (350507)
University of New England
Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University
Black Dog Institute
Black Dog Institute
University of New England
Charles Sturt University
University of Sydney
Griffith University
University of New South Wales
Charles Sturt University
University of Sydney
The Senior
February 16 2024
Jones, R., Jackson, D., Ranse, J., Arena, A., Clegg, L., Sutton, C., Gayed, A., Rice, K. & Usher, K. (2024). A Scoping Review of Trauma, Mental Health and First Responders in Australia, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing; 0: 1-23 http://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13397
Jones, R., Ranse, J., Rice, K., Usher, K., Jackson, D., Sutton, C., Kabir, H., Gayed, A., Wong, H., Clegg, L. & Arena, A. (2025). Rural contexts: Digital interventions and strategies for first responders' mental health, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/inm.70046