Rural mental problem calls double those from the cities
Although rural Australians make up just 14 per cent of the population they make twice as many mental problem calls for professional help, especially when facing the double disasters of drought and bushfire’
Barbara Hocking, Executive Director of SANE Australia says that “people living in rural Australia are increasingly calling our Helpline for information, understanding and advice on mental illness. Over the last two years, approximately one third of all calls to our Helpline have come from rural areas”.
“People from these areas face unique challenges in managing mental illness compared to people in city areas. In rural areas there is often a high rotation or shortage of doctors and other health professionals, and rural callers say that navigating the health system can make it difficult to get the help they need. This makes continuity of care difficult at the best of times, but in times of environmental stress such as drought and bushfires the problems are compounded”, Ms Hocking said.
The SANE Helpline Advisors can assist people to find ways to manage their situations by looking at all their options.and sympathetically encouraged to examine possible ideas for action.
