Call for Abstracts
The WA Country Health Service is seeking abstracts for the WA Rural and Remote Mental Health Conference to be held at Abbey Beach Resort, Undalup, Busselton on the 4 November - 7 November 2025.
For thirty years, this conference has delivered quality outcomes for staff from government and non-government organisations working in mental health, together with mental health consumers and carers. This year focuses on addressing the stigma that continues to surround mental health in rural and remote settings. Together, we'll explore strategies to promote understanding, inspire action and build inclusive communities where everyone feels supported and heard.
Abstract Submission Process
Important Dates
| Important Dates to Remember | |
| Call for abstracts close | 11 June 2025 |
| Notification of outcome | 30 June 2025 |
| Written acceptance of offer to present | 11 July 2025 |
| Deadline for presenter registration | 15 August 2025 |
| Deadline for abstract summary and e-poster artwork | 19 September 2025 |
| WA Rural and Remote Mental Health Conference | 4 - 7 November 2025 |
Themes and Topics
The Conference theme for 2025 is Breaking Barriers: Tackling Stigma and Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Rural Communities.
This theme addresses the stigma surrounding mental health in rural areas and explores strategies to promote awareness, understanding, and help-seeking behaviours. It focuses on advocacy, education and cultural change to normalise mental health conversations. It also highlights the importance of collaborative partnerships between health services, community groups, and individuals to drive stigma reduction campaigns.
We are now calling for abstracts for oral presentations and poster presentations under the following streams:
- Stigma Reduction Campaigns
Collaborative approaches to challenging stigma and encouraging open dialogue in rural communities. - Mental Health Education
Partnering with schools, workplaces, and local organisations to enhance mental health literacy and reduce stigma. - Advocacy Through Lived Experience
Harnessing personal stories to inspire understanding and break down barriers. - Cultural Sensitivity in Awareness
Tailoring anti-stigma efforts to diverse cultural groups, including First Nations communities. - Youth and Mental Health Awareness
Engaging young people as advocates and changemakers for mental health awareness in their communities.
While these streams are provided for guidance, abstracts may be applicable across multiple streams and all innovative projects, programs, research and initiatives are encouraged to submit. Please note, successful abstracts will be allocated a 20 minute presentation & 5 minute Q&A timeslot in the conference program.
Abstracts that align to a conference stream are preferred, but not essential.
Abstract Review Process
Guidelines
- All abstracts must be:
- Structured providing an outline of the aim/s and content of the presentation.
- No more than 300 words long.
- Completed in full, including a biography of each presenting author(s).
- Submitted electronically via the abstract portal.
- Submitted by 5pm (AWST) on 11 June 2025. Abstracts received after this date WILL NOT be accepted.
- Presented by the specified presenting author(s) except in an emergency, such as illness, where an alternative speaker can be nominated. The first author (as given on the abstract submission form) will be the main contact for any correspondence.
- Accepted oral presentations will be 20 minute presentation and 5 minute Q&A.
- Accepted e-poster presentations will be 20 minutes (including questions) during the breaks.
- The Conference Committee reserves the right to accept or refuse any paper.
- Successful abstracts will be notified by 30 June 2025 and will have until 11 July 2025 to provide written acceptance of offer and 15 August 2025 to register for the conference.