This blog does discuss mental health and has been written for general information only. Always seek the advice of your General Practitioner or mental health professional for any questions or concerns you may have.

If you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000, visit your nearest hospital emergency or use any of the following helplines: Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

Supporting people’s mental health in rural Australia is very important to me.  Living in rural Australia offers freedom, wide open spaces, and fresh air. It may look like we’re living the dream to some, but if you slip off those rose-coloured glasses for a second, rural life, is at times, pretty tough. 

Local economies in small towns are at the mercy of mother nature; drought, bushfires, frosts, and hail to name a few. This land of extremes on which we choose to live and make our living, raise families or recreate, has its own plan. Sometimes when things are out of our control, it may affect our health and more specifically, our mental health. 

For many, our homes are also our places of work. We might be farming on a generational family farm and live near our parents and siblings, who are also farming the land. Many of us have only ever farmed, and it’s all we know. Some of us are just starting out on the rural living and working adventure. If the farm fails because of an act of mother nature, or commodity prices crashing, or escalating business overheads, there’s not only the fear of failure but also, what’s next?

I’m not saying that city life is easy, I’ve done that too, and I know this also has a variety of challenges. The pressures of rural life are particularly great because sometimes there’s no such thing as a work-life balance. The two don’t necessarily separate. 

Because I’m writing this blog just after the  2022 R U OK day, I thought it was an excellent opportunity to reach out to rural Australians to let you know that I see you, and I get it. I also want to tell you that there is always help around.

You don’t always have to put on a brave face.

Unfortunately, there is a social stigma around mental health, especially among rural people. Having worked with people from many walks of life, with many and varied life challenges, I’ve seen good lives take a bumpy track when people suppress their problems and escape using less than desirable substances or actions to alleviate their disturbance with negative effect on yourself or people close to you.

It is OK to say that you’re not OK. This may be hard to admit. But it’s the first step towards getting back on track. 

Where to get help?

Sometimes we can feel trapped in our own town. If you’re seen going to the doctor or mental health professional, it may seem confronting personally and socially, but it’s an important step. There is help around. There are even organisations around primarily geared towards helping rural people. Nowadays, it’s as simple as getting on your smartphone in the privacy of your ute! Who’d have thought!

If you or someone you know is in an emergency situation, please call 000.

The list of organisations below are places you can go for more information (this list is in no way exhaustive). 

• Lifeline Phone 13 11 14 for 24/7 counselling  https://www.lifeline.org.au/real-experiences/community-perspectives/rural-communities/
• Beyond Blue Phone 1300 22 46 36 for brief counselling www.beyondblue.org.au  
• Are you bogged, mate? www.areyouboggedmate.com.au
• TIACS Connecting truckies, tradies, blue-collar works to mental health professionals www.tiacs.org
• The Bush Support Line Phone 1800 805 391. This line is open to all health workers and their families in rural, remote, and isolated communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers/Professionals, the Allied Health workforce and other staff involved in health service delivery.   https://crana.org.au/mental-health-wellbeing/

I am a qualified Equine Assisted Learning Practitioner (EAL). 

For years I’ve been studying ways to support others wellbeing through horses’ guidance. For me, when times have been tough, I’ve been fortunate to have my horses to turn to for help. Horses are intuitive, and they’re pretty good at understanding. They have this ability to simplify things for you and ground a person. 

The words of Meg Kirby, Founder of the Equine Psychotherapy Institute, explains it well “Horses see the real you. Being seen is incredibly healing.”

How can EAL help?

My herd of horses at my Wilkdoo property can offer a safe place and a no judgement zone for you to work through your challenges. We work as a team to support you on your journey. This isn’t touchy-feely stuff, and I don’t offer counselling or therapy. (But EAL may support room-based therapy if that’s what you’re after). What I offer with my herd is a simple and down to earth approach to your wellbeing.

I offer you a space in nature, where you can take time out and let the horse’s inner wisdom and ability to co-regulate emotions, bring you to a place where you can start to feel grounded and in control again. We go back to basics.

I love the quote,” There’s something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” (thought to be a Winston Churchill quote).

Is EAL for you?

If you’d like to find out more about EAL at Wilkydoo, send me an email and I’ll give you a call. There’s no such thing as a silly question, and I’d be happy to have a chat with you.