Rural focus on mental health

POINTED ISSUE: A new publication, Feeling Down on the Farm, will be launched to coincide with National Mental Health Awareness Week. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Depression and suicide in Wairarapa's rural community will be highlighted with a new publication Feeling Down On the Farm.

Led by the East Coast Rural Support Trust, the publication seeks to tackle an issue for rural communities.

It follows similar publications released in Taranaki and Southland.

"These campaigns were very successful," said Neil McLaren, Chairman of the Wairarapa division of the Trust.

The publication will be specific to the region with stories and information on services being featured.

Mr McLaren hopes that in featuring Wairarapa people "the community will become more aware of the issue".

"Hopefully it will encourage people to look out for family members and work colleagues - to ask whether they are okay and, if they aren't due to mental pressure, they will be able to point them in the direction of help," said Mr McLaren.

The most recent national statistics reveal the suicide rate in rural areas is 12.5 per 100,000 people compared with 10.6 per 100,000 people in urban areas. These statistics are lower than in previous years but anything to decrease them further should be done, said Wairarapa DHB suicide prevention co-ordinator Jane Mills.

"Every death is a tragedy," she said .

"People need to know that life has its ups and downs but, you can get through them."

The publication will be distributed to all rural delivery households during National Mental Health Awareness Week, which begins October 6. Extra copies will be available from health professionals.