BRIGHTLY-coloured chaser bins at six national machinery field days will be used to raise awareness of mental health and well being in rural areas.
Riverina farm machinery manufacturer Coolamon Chaser Bins will attend the Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days, AgQuip, Newdegate Machinery Field Days, Henty and Yorke Peninsula machinery field days distributing information packs on behalf of national charity beyondblue.
It was also on display at the McIntosh & Son Mingenew Midwest Expo last week.
Coolamon Chaser Bins general manager Heath Hutcheon said the company would donate $1000 from every bin sold at the field days until September 30 to beyondblue.
The chaser bins sport brightly coloured magnets highlighting anxiety, depression and suicide under the company’s initiative, Beyond Bins.
“We recently lost one of our long-time employees to suicide,” Mr Hutcheon said.
“He was a very well loved person by all and we pulled together to get through the loss as a group.
“Now a few months have passed, we wanted to create awareness about mental health and support beyondblue at the six national field days we will be attending.’’
Coolamon Chaser Bins staff are receiving support from Riverina Bluebell and will be addressed by a counsellor and guest speaker next week.
“At the time, we were all in shock as there were no signs, with the person being a happy-go-lucky guy,’’ Mr Hutcheon said.
“Just because someone has a smile on their face, you can’t take it for granted they’re OK.
“It can be just one conversation with a mate or a work colleague to uncover they need help and stop their problem from growing legs.’’
Mr Hutcheon said traditionally rural men had regarded themselves as stoic and hard-working and were reluctant to ask for help.
“Although the younger generation are more aware of the support services available they appear to be more affected than the older generation,’’ he said.
“The greater focus on mental health awareness by sporting clubs is helping.
“We have had a few young staff who have struggled with anxiety and depression and it is important to talk and check on your mates and ask them if they are OK.
“At the field days, we will have information packs from beyondblue and for every order taken for a chaser bin during the field days from August 16 to September 30, we will donate $1000,’’ he said.
“The idea was driven by our employees and we were happy as a company to help.’’