The Centre for Rural Mental Health is a joint activity of Bendigo Health and Monash University and is based on the Bendigo Hospital campus. The Director of the Centre is Professor Fiona Judd.

The Centre's activities include the development of innovative mental health programs, teaching, and research focusing on the mental health needs of rural residents.  Specifically, the Centre is interested in the nature, causes, prevention and treatment of mental health problems in rural communities.

In investigating these issues staff have used the concept of 'place' to look at the ways in which different features of rural environments, both physical and social, impact upon wellbeing.

Through this work, a particular area of interest has been the mental health of farming communities.  Farmers and farming families are a high risk group with identified problems including isolation, the impact of economic restructuring, exposure to environmental hazards such as drought, flood and fire, lack of appropriate services and service providers, and distance from services.

The Farmers and Farming Families Program aims to better understand mental distress and mental disorder amongst this at-risk group, and develop appropriate means to address these issues.

Eating Disorder Service

The Loddon Campaspe Southern Mallee Eating Disorders Service (EDS) is located at the Centre for Rural Mental Health, Arnold Street Bendigo. It consists of a team of clinical psychologists and a consultant psychiatrist, who work together with general practitioners across the region to treat people with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

The Eating Disorders Service provides education to GPs in detecting and managing eating disorders, as well as ongoing consultation and support in treating people with eating disorders.

Clinical psychologists provide treatment to people aged 17 years and over with eating disorders who are motivated to engage in treatment. The Primary Mental Health Early Intervention Team can provide treatment for milder cases, with support from the EDS program.

Education and support is also provided to clinicians of the Adult Mental Health Service, and to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, who see people with eating disorders who are under 17 years.

Referrals can be made by General Practitioners via regional psychiatric triage - 1300 363 788.