Rural MH101®

Each Rural MH101® workshop is delivered by two facilitators who have rural backgrounds and understand the daily pressures of rural life. One brings their own life experience of mental health challenges and recovery, and the other is a registered mental health professional.

Their combined expertise and experience means each workshop is based on an in-depth, holistic understanding of mental health challenges experienced by people in the community. They have real knowledge of what strategies and tools work, and (just as importantly) what doesn’t.

We understand that everyone learns differently, so we make sure our workshops have something for everyone. Our facilitators use best-practice adult learning techniques including activities, videos and teaching tools to create an interactive and engaging workshop. You’ll also receive a workbook with Rural MH101® notes, additional reading, and a directory for support and assistance.

Rural MH101® will give you an understanding of some of the major mental health challenges in rural communities, the experience of mental distress, and the impacts of stress and trauma. The training has a rural focus, however, if you’ve recently done MH101® you may find the workshop content is quite similar.

All our workshops follow the Te Whare Tapa Whā model, which means we take an in-depth, holistic approach to understanding mental health and wellbeing.

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental distress.
• Get an overview of some major mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance use disorder.
• Learn strategies and gain tools for maintaining your mental health, and the mental health and wellbeing of others.
• Understand how your reactions can impact on the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of others.
• Learn how to use supportive language, perspective, and build connection.
• Learn how to respond wisely in any given situation, including the risk of suicide or self-harm.
• Understand where, when and how to get personal and professional help.

After the workshop, you’ll get help to apply your newfound knowledge and develop an even better understanding of what you’ve learnt with access to a short series of MH101® e-learning modules.

Note: Rural MH101® is aimed at non-clinical participants. This is not a clinical workforce training course.

Rural MH101® community workshops are FREE for individuals to attend, funded by Te Whatu Ora. You can do the workshop either in person in your community (with lunch included), or online over three sessions.

See our FAQs for more information about who’s eligible for these free workshops (hint: it’s mostly everyone, except registered health professionals and people with previous mental health training).

Register now to book your place

Group bookings: A maximum of five people from one organisation can register for each workshop. For larger groups, please see our information about purchasing a workshop for your organisation. Some non-profit organisations may be eligible for a limited number of funded workshops, contact us for more information.

We offer Rural MH101® as a private workshop for organisations that want to prioritise mental health and wellbeing in their workplace or community.

Rural MH101® is an investment in your people, providing a framework that allows them to maintain their own mental health and wellbeing, along with the knowledge and tools to support others.

• Workshops can be run in-person (one day), or online (three separate 2-2.5 hour sessions).
• Our facilitators will work with you to relate scenarios in the course content to your organisation.
• You’ll get an impact report with data insights captured during participant evaluations, to help you better understand the needs of your workforce and support future wellbeing initiatives.

Find out more about options for your private workshop