Supporting yourself - rural and remote people

Rates of mental health issues seem to be much the same in rural and remote Australia as in the cities. What does differ significantly is access to people and services that can help. In remote regions it can be difficult to see a GP - and there are less specialist services. In some places, any kind of help can be many hours or even days away. Online apps and services, chat lines and online community groups are ways for people to get in touch with others and get support and information when face-to-face help is not readily available. (Source)

Life on the land can be challenging, and there is evidence that male farmers can be prone to stress and depression at much higher rates than the general population. However, men on the land may not consider themselves to have any challenge with their mental health and often don’t access the help they need. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available - check out the resources section of this page, or read our page on seeking support.  (Source)

People in rural and remote areas are often self-sufficient and resilient, which means that asking for help may not come naturally. In smaller communities everyone knows everyone else, and some people may not be comfortable seeking support from professionals who are already known to them as neighbours. Online and telephone support services can allow rural and remote people to talk about things that are troubling them with people outside of their communities, and remain anonymous if they wish. (Source)

Australians who live away from the big smoke have some unique challenges – and some unique benefits as well. In fact, research shows that people in the country are generally happier. Possible reasons for this include connection to the community, a sense of purpose and participation in community activities. There are also higher rates of volunteering – an activity known to improve wellbeing - and people are more likely to pitch in and help each other. (Source)

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in remote and very remote areas – making all the difficulties of getting culturally appropriate assistance even more challenging. Concerns about the future, country and loss of cultural identity can be deeply felt, and combined with both the physical and social isolation, can lead to a cycle of distress and hopelessness. There is more information on wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on these supporting yourself and supporting someone else pages. (Source)

Young people in rural and remote areas can find that it’s more difficult to be themselves than their city counterparts. Smaller communities can have ways of doing things and expected norms that put pressure on young people to conform. In addition there is the potential of boredom/ loneliness and uncertainty about future prospects. Online social networks have provided opportunities for young people to connect with other like-minded people and get professional support from services that specialise in working with young people. (Source)