After a fascinating journey through 9 diverse communities, the six towns and regions chosen to continue exploring community-determined responses to mental health as part of the Our Town initiative are Berri, Ceduna, Cummins, Kangaroo Island, Kimba and the Mid Murray.

The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI), Clear Horizon, and The Fay Fuller Foundation will be partnering alongside these communities over the next year, building capability to test assumptions, consult with their communities and get to the heart of what is driving poor mental health. This collaborative approach between community and support team will see each organisation play a pivotal role in partnering with communities to surface valuable lived experience and local knowledge to guide this emergent process.

The thing that struck me during our town visits was the diversity of places and leaders we will be working with. From Ceduna a hub of Aboriginal culture and a diverse group of industries, to Kimba and Cummins very small towns with very limited outside support, Berri a service hub, Kangaroo Island now recovering from fire and the Mid Murray a large area that is sparsely populated. So much to learn.

KATE SIMPSON, LEAD: OUR TOWN