ALMOST half of all Victorians will experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
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And although those in rural areas score better than city-dwellers in life satisfaction and wellbeing, they also can lack access to health services and are at higher risk of depression, problem drinking and drug use.
With certain truths and stigmas looming over regional mental health, Rochester Secondary College recruited a yoga instructor, karate black belt, boxing instructor and a doctor of clinical psychology to help students take preventative measures by being kind to their minds.
Echuca clinical psychologist Cara Tucker spoke to students at RSC to tell them that happiness is free, and it’s a choice.
“Fear lives in the future and depression lives in the past,” Dr Tucker said.
“We can change our minds in the present to help our future selves — all we can control is the now.’’
She says that mental illness doesn’t have to stay with us if we choose to focus on mental health.“You can change your thoughts within seconds if you want to, and that changes your emotional state,” she said.
Dr Tucker told Campaspe News she decided to use her credentials and settle in Echuca to help train provisional psychologists and help rural communities.
“I started to get a real love for the community, and I wanted to help,” she said.
“I’m ready to stop hiding in the psychologist’s room. Young ones can be very hard on themselves and the way they perceive what we say can lead to more anxiety.
“Kids in these areas who are already doing quite well, some are being told that year 12 is the only way they can succeed. It can put unnecessary pressure on kids who are already putting the pressure on themselves.”
But the overarching stigma of mental health issues in regional towns is something Dr Tucker is trying to address.
“In smaller communities it can be harder to step out and talk to a psychologist because people might find out,’’ she said.
“Traditional roles in smaller rural communities, for instance farmers, means they’re not talking with anybody.
“Suicides and mental breakdowns have a widespread effect on smaller communities.”
Dr Tucker and spoke with students and community members about preventative measures and their access to mental health services, which do exist.
“It’s about teaching kids how to be themselves in the world,’’ Dr Tucker said.
‘‘We take a full three-sixty assessment of somebody’s life; what sort of social groups, what are they involved or not involved in and what’s going on at school.”
Dr Tucker runs Thrive Wellness and Consulting in Echuca and Bendigo.
For more information visit fthrivewellnessandconsulting.com
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