LEADERS from the CBH Group are hoping personal stories shared in a new online video series will help raise awareness of the importance of mental health in regional WA.
CBH Group chairman Wally Newman, member directors John Hassell, Brian McAlpine and Simon Stead and general manager of business transformation Matt Shellabear have each given an insight into how mental health has affected their lives in videos being released each day this week.
In 2015, the suicide rate was 13.8 per 100,000 people in the greater Perth area and 19.8 per 100,000 people for the rest of the State.
As parts of the northern and eastern grainbelt suffer through dry seasonal conditions, Mr Newman said it was important that those suffering from mental health issues knew they were not alone.
He said the purpose of the campaign was to remove the stigma attached to mental illness and encourage regional people – particularly men – to seek help.
“We know up north it’s a poor season up and they’ll be feeling it, so we know what they’re going through.
“As a farmer I know first hand how rewarding and challenging life on the land can be, particularly if you’ve got stock.
“Unfortunately I’ve had many friends and know all too many people – mainly men – who have taken their lives or thought about doing so, I also know people who have been very successful in getting on top of their problems.
“It is for this reason that I supported the campaign and was pleased to be a part of it.”
The campaign was formed in partnership with the Black Dog Institute and Lifeline WA and launched on Monday following World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday, September 10.
CBH first partnered with the Black Dog Institute – a medical research organisation – in 2015 to run mental health awareness programs and training in regional part of the State.
LifeLine WA was asked to support the new campaign to provide crisis support.
LifeLine WA chief executive officer Lorna MacGregor – who grew up in the Wheatbelt – said there were several reasons why those living in regional and rural WA were more affected by mental health issues.
“In the country regions the impact (of suicide) is so much greater, not just because more people suicide in rural and remote regions but also because the closeness of the community means that the ripple effect is much more disastrous, it is much more emotionally devastating,” Ms MacGregor said.
“The factors that influence suicide rates include financial stress, increased unemployment, social and geographic isolation, difficulties accessing services and greater ability of means to self harm.
“Rural Australians face much greater difficulties due to the difficulty of accessing support for mental health and emotional well-being and the greater need for visibility to break down the stigma associated with mental health, this project will go a long way to addressing that.”
Black Dog Institute director Melanie Kiely said the courage shown by members of the CBH board featured in the video series was admirable.
“Often we see people suffering more because they’re isolated,” Ms Kiely said.
“It’s very brave of you guys to put that out there because it encourages others to come forward to do the same thing which I think is important.”
The videos will be available on CBH’s social media channels.
For help with mental health issues contact LifeLine WA on 13 11 14.
