Describe the participant sampling, treatment protocols, assessment strategies and potential difficulties in researchingthe benefits of social support and existing mental health resources

You are asked by State Mental Health authorities to help understand how to best support those who are seriously mentally ill in rural communities. In particular they want to know how to provide âsocial supportâ for those with a diagnosis of âschizophreniaâ because some evidence indicates that it reduces relapse rates. Describe the participant sampling, treatment protocols, assessment strategies and potential difficulties in researchingthe benefits of social support and existing mental health resources for those diagnosed with âschizophreniaâ in a small rural communityin western NSW (letâs call it Wobegone, population 608; baserate of those with the diagnosis of interest is 9%). The nearest Base Hospital is 250 km away in Dubbo. There is one resident, registered generalist psychologist in Wobegon, 2 community mental health nurses who visit Wobegon 3 days per month from Dubbo, and a psychiatrist who visits once per month from Sydney to monitor medication.