The “How Can I Help? – Rural Wellbeing Toolkit” developed by the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales (SQNNSW) Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub focuses on empowering communities to support each other’s mental and physical health, social connections, and overall wellbeing. Through a structured approach encompassing four core modules—Mental Health, Physical Health, Social Connection, and Work & Wellbeing—the toolkit provides practical strategies, resources, and guidelines to identify needs, connect individuals with appropriate services, and foster supportive relationships within rural communities.

• Aims to enhance wellbeing in rural communities by facilitating peer support.
• Focuses on practical strategies for recognizing and responding to the needs of others.

Mental Health

•     Identifying signs of stress, anxiety, and depression.
•     Guidelines on how to communicate with someone about their mental health.
•     Resources for mental health support, including GP referrals and therapy options.

Physical Health

•     Addressing common health concerns in rural areas and overcoming barriers to seeking medical help.
•     Importance of regular physical activity and resources to encourage an active lifestyle.
•     Suggestions to help others recognize health issues and seek appropriate care.

Social Connection

•     Discusses the significance of social networks for mental and physical health.
•     Provides strategies to foster connections within the community.
•     Identifies common causes of social isolation and offers solutions to mitigate these issues.

Work & Wellbeing

•     Explores the impact of employment on wellbeing and the need for skills assessment.
•     Information on identifying personal values, interests, and skills that influence job opportunities.
•     Techniques for effective job searching and networking to uncover employment opportunities.