Struggling families from Dubbo and the surrounding regions will now have further financial assistance thanks to a partnership between animal health providers Zoetis and Beyond Blue.
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Zoetis, who provide a variety of services to rural Australians, helped raise $300,000 to help combat mental health issues in Australia's rural communities over the past three years and have committed to raise a further $100,000 this year.
The money raised will be moved directly into Beyond Blue's services that help rural farmers and those closest to them.
"In the medical profession we know that when stressful events happen together, like droughts, floods and financial worries, they can really take a toll on people's mental health well beyond the farm gate, it ripples through our regional communities and touches everyone," Dr Blashki said.
One former Dubbo local, Portia Gooch, who struggled with suicidal thoughts, says the mental health support available in rural areas isn't able to keep up with demand.
"I tried to get help from psychologists in my area, but there wasn't the right type of specialists around. I was only able to see a psychologist once a month at most, which was far less than I required once I became suicidal," Ms Gooch said..
"My family were completely supportive of what I was going through and did what they could to make sure life was as smooth as possible until I could move to Sydney and get proper treatment."
Other rural residents, like Parkes' Catherine Williams who grew up on a Central West farm, implored people who need help to access it as soon as possible.
"It's like this, if you had to drive somewhere for the first time and there was a map to help you navigate your way there, wouldn't you use it? It wouldn't make sense to try to do it on your own when you don't have to," Ms Williams said.
Beyond Blue currently offer a range of ways to contact a counsellor remotely by phone, streaming or e-mail, and the donation planned by Zoetis will allow them to field over 2000 more counselling sessions across the year ahead.
For more information about depression and anxiety, visit www.beyondblue.org.au. To talk to a mental health professional for free, contact the 24/7 beyondblue Support Service on 1300 22 4636.