New campaign to support drought-affected communities
A new mental health awareness campaign is being launched today to promote the many support services available to South Australians impacted by the drought, as part of the Malinauskas Government’s $73 million Drought Support Package.
As the effects of drought continue to be felt in regional communities across the state, this campaign encourages people to access free, early intervention support – while also reducing the stigma around seeking mental health support.
These services aim to boost mental health and resilience in drought-affected areas, with $2.5 million from the Drought Support Package specifically allocated to help expand support services provided by NGO mental health organisations, and directly link affected individuals, families and groups with local mental health staff through outreach, face-to-face, and online or phone support.
Through the programs promoted by this new campaign, South Australians in drought-affected regions will be able to seek mental health support at any stage of their mental health and wellbeing journey, and reach out to receive assistance before more complex needs arise.
The campaign follows on from an earlier social media campaign that successfully targeted more than one million people, and will expand its reach to audiences in affected regions through radio, local newspapers, digital messaging, and additional targeted social media information.
Funding has been focused on expanding self-referral pathways to ensure that communities can access services provided by trusted mental health organisations including Skylight Mental Health, Mind Australia, Centacare, and Uniting SA.
The range of access pathways includes new and locally established referrers, such as Rural Financial Counsellors (via Rural Business Support) and Family and Business (FaB) Mentors.
Community members can also self-refer by contacting the service directly or they can have a support person make a call on their behalf.
This work builds on ifarmwell’s recently launched ‘Weather It Together’ campaign, which promotes ways to support mental health and wellbeing for farmers and regional communities during challenging seasons.
Support for culturally and linguistically diverse communities is being provided in partnership with Relationships Australia, delivering mental health and wellbeing initiatives for affected communities, including access to interpreting services.
Drought support for Aboriginal communities is being provided in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of SA, working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to deliver mental health, social, and emotional wellbeing initiatives for communities whose lands are affected by drought.
People needing mental health support or advice can contact one of the services directly, speak to their GP, or call the Medicare Mental Health phoneline on 1800 595 212, available 8.30am – 5pm on weekdays (excluding public holidays).
Mental health support via telephone is also available 24 hours per day, every day of the year through Lifeline on 13 11 14 (Australia wide) or the Emergency Triage Liaison Service on 13 14 65 for urgent matters (South Australia only).
More information and resources are available on the Drought mental health support website.
Anyone seeking information on other drought-related support can contact the PIRSA Recovery Hotline at 1800 931 314, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, or visit the PIRSA Drought support webpage for news and updates.
Campaign assets can be accessed here.
Quotes attributable to Nadia Clancy
It’s heartening to see our communities pull together and support each other through some of the worst drought conditions on record.
Our hope is to reach anyone in drought-affected areas, and reassure them that they are not alone in their struggles and help is available close to home.
The Malinauskas Government has worked closely with farmers and primary producers to develop resources that they need and ensure they are accessible to anyone, wherever they are across the state.