South West Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Shelley O’Brien, discusses the importance of raising awareness and spreading resources on men’s mental health in rural and remote areas.
Living in rural, regional or remote communities bring many challenges. For farmers, there is the pressure to maintain farming operations during extreme weather events and the change in market demand which can lead to economic hardship. For others, it is the isolation and difficulty accessing services that can take a toll on mental health.
According to Beyond Blue, male farmers in Australia die by suicide at rates significantly higher than the general population and non-farming rural males, which is why now more than ever, there needs to be adequate mental health resourcing available to men living regionally.
Another challenge faced by men living in rural and remote areas is that even when help is available, there is stigma surrounding seeking help for mental illness and accepting it as a norm in society, particularly in smaller communities where people are more visible to their peers.
Resources such as the South West Community and Alcohol Drug Service run by St John of God Social Outreach offers free, easily accessible counselling and support for people and their families with drug and alcohol issues.
The service also provide consultation, shared case management, education, strategic support and training for Western Australia’s south west communities.
Local initiatives
There are also many initiatives taking place in the South West region in Western Australia around suicide prevention and mental health.
Getting help
The first step is recognising when help and support is needed. There are plenty of free resources available if you or someone you know are concerned about their mental and emotional wellbeing.Lifeline (24 hours/7 days a week)
Tel: 13 11 14
Beyondblue (24 hours/7 days a week)
Tel: 1300 224 636
Mensline (24 hours/7 days a week)
Tel: 1300 789 978
Shining Hope
Tel: 0448 763 302
GROW
Tel: 1800 558 268
Rurallink
Tel: 1800 552 002
Available: 4.30pm-8:30am Monday to Friday. 24 hours Saturday and Sunday and public holidays.
Rural link is an after-hours mental health telephone service for people in rural communities of Western Australia.
