Tackling Regional Adversity through Connected Communities (TRACC)

The Queensland Government Tackling Regional Adversity through Connected Communities (TRACC) Program supports Queensland communities impacted by drought, disasters and community crisis. Parts of Queensland were in drought for 6 or 7 years.

TRACC is set up to better integrate clinical care and community support, and provide a more comprehensive approach to tackling mental health issues in rural communities. Senior clinicians deliver the program in communities in 9 Hospital and Health Services in Queensland:

• Cairns and Hinterland
• Townsville
• Mackay
• North West
• Central West
• Central Queensland
• Wide Bay
• Darling Downs
• South West.

The key role of the clinicians, referred to as Regional Adversity Care Clinicians, is to connect people to the most appropriate care, increase mental health awareness, educate rural stakeholders, and build community resilience to cope with the impact of drought and disasters.

Key priorities

TRACC is coordinated by the Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch. The key priorities include:

• Connecting people to the right care at the right time and the right place to ensure that people who have been impacted by drought, natural disasters and other crisis receive the most appropriate care to support a full recovery.
• Connect people to information and programs to increase mental health awareness, overcome stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviour.
• Frontline workers are trained to recognise the early signs of distress and refer clients to the care that they need. Mental health clinicians work with front line workers in the agricultural sector and community sector, first responders and emergency services workers to coordinate referrals following an adverse event.
• Prepare communities to deal with drought, natural disasters, and community crisis. Mental health clinicians inform and train communities to mitigate the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations and respond to and effectively cope with their consequences.