Communication and information technologies can reduce the barriers of distance
and space that disadvantage communities in Australia's underserved rural areas,
where the health status of residents is often worse than that of their urban
counterparts. ACROSSnet (Australians Creating Rural Online Support Systems) is a
3 year collaborative action research project that aims to design and develop an
online support system that will assist rural communities in accessing
information, education and support regarding suicide and its prevention, whilst
considering the challenges of Internet speed, cost and availability that can
impede the delivery of online services. The site provides three distinct levels
of access: one level for community members, and two further levels for
appropriately credentialled mental health workers. In creating this environment,
the ACROSSnet team hopes that online communities of practice will develop,
engaging participants of different ages, income and education levels, location,
and socioeconomic backgrounds.