Free support is now available for people in regional South Australia whose mental health and wellbeing has been affected by drought.
Drought can impact people in different ways. It can cause financial stress, loss of livestock and crops, and impact people’s employment and business.
These pressures in turn can lead to grief, anger, depression, social isolation, relationship difficulties, trouble sleeping, impacts on physical health, poor concentration and lack of interest in daily activities.
The Drought Mental Health Support program provides individual counselling, and support for families and carers.
“We help you build a recovery plan to address the problems affecting your mental health and wellbeing. We also connect you with organisations that can help you solve other issues,” said Kathryn Cousins, Mind’s Acting General Manager, Government & Sector Liaison in South Australia.
The service is designed to be accessible for people in remote regional areas.
“People can get direct one-on-one support over the phone or via telehealth. We also do outreach, which means we can come to your home or meet you somewhere else in your community,” Kathryn said.
The service also provides case management and psychosocial recovery planning for other organisations.
The service is designed for people 16 and over, living in regional and remote areas of South Australia who are impacted by drought – not just farmers. This includes Flinders and Upper North, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula, Eyre and Far North regions.
Support can help you improve your mental health resilience, increase your access to mental health and other services and help you address grief and loss. It can strengthen families, and communities experiencing stress caused by drought.
Drought Mental Health Support is staffed by trained and experienced Mind Counsellors and Community Mental Health Practitioners. The service is funded by the Government of South Australia.
People can access Drought Mental Health Support by calling Mind Connect on 1300 286 463 or by emailing [email protected]