RURAL Australians are being asked to help raise awareness of depression, anxiety and suicide prevention in their communities and help to reduce the associated stigma.
Australia loses around eight people a day to suicide, and over a year, suicide deaths are double that of the national road toll. Too many people who die by suicide are from farming communities across Australia.
In an effort to support good mental health and reduce suicide rates across rural Australia, leading animal health company Zoetis has become a Supporting Partner of beyondblue, and has launched a campaign to help raise awareness and much needed funds.
For every Zoetis cattle or sheep vaccine or drench sold by Zoetis between 1 August and 30 October 2016, Zoetis will donate $5 to beyondblue, up to a total of $100,000.
“Our staff travel more than two million kilometres each year servicing all types of farms and households in some of the most remote areas of Australia.
They recognise the highs and lows faced by resellers and producers in regional and remote Australia.
With rural communities facing tough seasonal conditions, ever-changing commodity prices and the tyranny of distance, the mental health of rural residents is of growing concern,” Zoetis General Manager Lance Williams said.
“Zoetis is passionate about supporting hard-working regional Australians. There is not one person in our organisation who hasn’t had some exposure to mental health issues and this drives our need to ensure this campaign with beyondblue is a success.”
Although the incidence of psychological distress and symptoms of mental health conditions are similar between major cities and rural areas, suicide rates are higher in regional, rural and remote areas.
Data from 2001 to 2011 shows residents of major cities had the lowest rate of suicide deaths per 100,000 people, while residents of very remote areas had the highest rate year on year while residents of very remote areas had a rate of 18.1.2.
This can be attributed in part to the fact that people in outer regional, remote or very remote areas of Australia face more barriers to accessing healthcare than people living in major cities.
“Every community experiences ups and downs, but when you get another issue that arises on top of daily challenges, whether it is prolonged drought, flood or fire, the impact on many rural families is severe. The stress and anxiety can be overwhelming,” beyondblue Chairman The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC said.
“If you take for instance, the challenges being faced in the dairy industry, there is great apprehension and anxiety amongst our farmers. We need to make sure they get the help they need well before they reach crisis point.”
beyondblue wants to instill confidence in all Australians to look after their own mental health and support those around them by making anxiety, depression and suicide part of everyday conversations.
People can support the Zoetis initiative by purchasing products from its range of cattle and sheep vaccines and drenches available at rural resellers.
To make a donation directly to beyondblue, please visit www.beyondblue.org.au/Zoetis
For more information about anxiety, depression and suicide, please visit www.beyondblue.org.au or call the 24/7 beyondblue Support Service on 1300 22 4636.
