Co-design communities of practice in community-based mental health and rural suicide prevention

Figures & data

Figure 1. Design methodology.

Table 1. Beats for Wu project co-designed prototypes for community-based mental health.

Beats for Wu: Music therapy school program (yrs 1–3)	Students progress through a circuit of stations and learn musical techniques at each station that support reduced stress, calm state and improved mood which will contribute to improved mental health.
Mental health community campaign	Travelling art installation featuring an interactive sculpture that has mental health themed prompts inviting the community to respond in writing. Moderated conversation board inviting users to express their feelings and perceptions through song lyrics. Activity kit for children (4-10yrs) including play-based tools for emotional regulation and communication.
‘Open the funk up’: Community workshop for young people	Visual arts and music-based activities incorporating mental health literacy and designed to develop strategies to manage personal mental health and support others.
‘Beats’: music and culture community magazine	Music focus with mental health themes woven through articles
‘Mood’: A contemporary museum exhibition at MOD (a futuristic museum of discovery)	A sensory journey through space and sound. It will visualize the process of one’s mental health and state of mind.
Music therapy cabaret	An interactive, intimate, and inclusive cabaret show that discusses mental health and promotes the benefits of music therapy.

Table 2. Co-designed strategies and resources for rural community-based suicide prevention tailored to men in farming.

Print media articles published in the Stock Journal and community media.	A series of narratives from the perspective of fictional ‘Farmer Joe’ – narratives were formed from a composite of interviews with farmers who shared their stories of lived experience. Articles included contact details for mental health providers under the storyline.
Audio podcast interviews	Interviews with six young men in faming about their personal stories of lived experience and engagement in mental health promotion for famers.
Fridge magnet mental health services directory	Personalized and localized directory of mental health and farmer support service providers. Each entry included a photograph and personal narrative introducing the service provider and service access information. A digital version was also produced.
Short films	Short films profiling local service providers and describing services and service pathways.
Community calendar	Calendar featuring images of faming and wellbeing submitted by the community, key farming dates, mental health messaging and mental health service information.
Coasters and bar mats	Features messaging suggesting that farmers might perceive ‘fixing’ their mental health as akin to fixing a mechanical or physical problem on the farm. Also includes contact information for major telephone helplines.
Documentary films about SPGs	The three documentaries showcase the stories of how each SPG came to be established, their key activities, the impact of these activities as told by men in farming and lessons learned by founding members of the group about setting up a sustainable and impactful rural suicide prevention community group.