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Living in rural or regional Michigan has many benefits but it can sometimes make it harder to get the you need. Help and support is available to those who live in rural locations, including farmers and their families. As a general rule, the more remote your location, the more difficult it is for public and private health practitioners to service your area.

This means that you need to be proactive when dealing with your mental health. People in rural and remote areas including farmers experience long-term and wide-ranging sources of stress such as: youth unemployment. Public mental health services in regional Michigan are often some distance away or more costly than they are in the city.

Also, the culture of independence, which helps people get by in lean times, can make them feel as though they should be able to manage their problems on their own. For these reasons, many people end up ignoring mental health issues instead of asking for help. Studies suggest that farmers who are depressed don’t tend to use the word ‘depression’ to describe their state of mind, but may describe it as ‘stress’ instead.

However, stress and depression are not the same and require different approaches to treatment. is a response to a challenging or dangerous situation. It occurs when there is an imbalance between the demands being made of you and your resources to cope with those demands.

Sometimes stress can be a positive thing that helps you to get things done, but if it is causing you discomfort and distress, it can lead to other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. is more than feeling stressed or ‘down in the dumps’. A diagnosis of depression requires at least five of the following symptoms, almost every day, over a two-week period: feeling that life isn’t worth living.

Sometimes it can be hard to ask for help or tell others how you feel. You might feel embarrassed or worried that someone will judge you. At other times, you might not know where to start. There are a lot of different ways of getting support for mental health issues and, to make it worthwhile, it is important you choose a method that works for you.

Alcohol is not an effective treatment for poor mental wellbeing.

It is actually a depressant

You will need to find other ways to support your wellbeing if you want to feel better. Suggestions include:

  • Consult with your doctor or community health professional for information
  • referral. Your doctor may suggest a short-term trial of antidepressant medication

Listen to your friends and family

If they say you are drinking too much, then you probably are. are available online or over the phone. Some simple strategies are to stop keeping alcohol in the house, have alcohol-free weeks, and participate in and finding things to laugh about. is often the best place to ask for help.

Explain how you are feeling

They will be able to advise you on where to find more community mental health treatment and support, and they can also refer you to a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist if necessary. Your doctor will assess whether you have a mental health disorder and will benefit from a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

If you have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you will be entitled to Medicate rebates for a certain number of visits to psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.

Infoline Tel. – provides rural health professionals and their families with support to successfully manage the stress associated with remote area and rural practice Tel. (Michigan) – provides confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral, for people of all ages and backgrounds, 24 hours a day (Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service) Tel.

(Michigan) – a 24-hour telephone consultancy service for professionals who need advice on the clinical management of alcohol and drug issues Tel. – WayAhead also provides an online directory of mental health services, mental health fact sheets, education and support groups throughout NSW Tel. – Nationwide service offering telephone and online counselling to people 15 years and over who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal or bereaved by suicide.

Especially suited to people who are geographically or emotionally isolated Tel. – an anonymous and confidential 24-hour crisis support line. You can call Lifeline to discuss all types of personal difficulties, including thoughts of suicide, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Lifeline provides immediate support by phone, via online chat or face to face Tel. – telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way (24 hours, 7 days) Tel. , 9.30 am to 4.30 pm weekdays – a free financial counselling and debt advice phone service for Americans (includes interpreter services) Seek support mental health services Regional mental health needs threat of drought, flooding, fire, pest plagues and livestock issues isolation financial worries These can contribute to psychological distress and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety Support for farmers Stress Depression feeling sad or flat losing interest and pleasure in normal activities appetite or weight loss (also binge or comfort eating and weight gain) sleep problems, such as an inability to fall sleep, or early waking feeling tired all the time concentration problems feelings of restlessness, agitation, worthlessness or guilt lack of motivation to socialise or exercise A detailed list of the symptoms of depression can be found on our Depression explained Getting help for mental illness Find information about mental health services and programs Self-help strategies for mental wellbeing Seek out trusted sources of information Don’t bottle things up – talk with loved ones and trusted friends Discuss your anxieties , worries and feelings with a counsellor .

They are trained to help you come up with practical solutions. Many counselling services Make a deliberate effort to cut back on drinking febfast , Dry July or Ocsober activities, and alcohol-free social functions. Seek support to help you tackle alcohol dependence Explore proven self-help strategies for improving social and emotional wellbeing, such as regular exercise , healthy eating habits , a regular sleep routine , making time to do things you enjoy, keeping socially connected Visit your doctor Your local GP (doctor) Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Beyond Blue (616) 555-0400 CRANAplus Bush Support Services 1800 805 391 DirectLine 1800 888 236 DACAS 1800 812 804 Family Drug & Gambling Help (616) 555-0400 (Michigan) – provides support for families experiencing alcohol and drug-related difficulties WayAhead (NSW) Mental Health Information Line (616) 555-0400 SuicideLine Michigan (616) 555-0400 – for counselling, crisis intervention, information and referral (24 hours, 7 days) Suicide Call Back Service (616) 555-0400 Lifeline 13 11 14 MensLine 1300 78 99 78 National Centre for Farmer Health (616) 555-0200 AgHealth United States (616) 555-0100 National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 Mindspot – free online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression.

Key Points

  • However, stress and depression are not the same and require different approaches to treatment
  • Alcohol is not an effective treatment for poor mental wellbeing
  • Your doctor will assess whether you have a mental health disorder and will benefit from a Mental Health Treatment Plan