The document provides contact information for various rural assistance services available to those in need of help, including helplines for psychological assistance, financial assistance, family assistance, crisis support, and counseling services. It also lists some websites that provide information on issues like depression, drought, health and safety, and online counseling resources. At the end, it provides some indicators of depression and suggestions for managing stress and seeking help if feelings of depression persist.

1. Rural
assistance
Help is available:
Australian Psychological Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 333 497
(Find a Psychologist)
beyondblue info line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 22 4636
Bush Crisis Line and Support Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 805 391
(24 hour support for rural and remote health practitioners and their families)
Centrelink Drought Assistance Line.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 23 16
Centrelink Family Assistance and Parent
Information Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 61 50
Centrelink Farmer and Small Business
Assistance Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 050 585
Kids Help Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 551 800
Lifeline.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 11 14
(24 hour phone counselling)
Lifeline Information Service.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 13 11 14
Mensline Australia.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 789 978
Relationships Australia.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 364 277
SANE Helpline (Monday to Friday office hours). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 187 263
Suicide Call Back Service Referral Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 659 467
Trans-Help Foundation.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 787 996
(Support for transport drivers and their families)
Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dial 000
www.abc.net.au/water/drought/
ABC News – Drought-related information
www.beyondblue.org.au
www.centrelink.gov.au
Information on depression and where to get help
Information on income support and referrals to counsellors
www.counsellingonline.org.au
www.crufad.org
Online drug and alcohol counselling
Information on depression, anxiety and its management
www.depressionet.com.au
www.farmsafe.org.au
Online information and support forums
Information on health and safety for farmers/families
www.kidshelpline.com.au
Online counselling for young people
www.menslineaus.org.au
Support for men with family and relationship problems
www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
Online psychological therapy
www.psychology.org.au
Australian Psychological Society – Find a psychologist
www.reachout.com.au
Information to help young people through tough times
www.relationships.com.au
Relationships Australia – relationships counselling
www.transhelpfoundation.com.au
www.youthbeyondblue.com
Advice and support for transport drivers
and their families
beyondblue’s website for young people –
info. on depression
www.beyondblue.org.au ✆ 1300 22 4636

2. Tackling depression in tough times
Stress
It’s important to note that stress is not depression. However, acute distress,
associated with tough times, can occur and may be a risk factor for depression
if it persists.
Stress Busters – Helpful Hints
Depression Indicators
• Avoid isolation – spend time with
friends and family.
• Persistent feelings of sadness
• Find positive ways to “let off
steam”. Don’t bottle up feelings.
• Try to eat well and get enough rest.
• Reduce caffeine, nicotine, alcohol
and marijuana.
• Exercise every day. It improves
well-being.
• Identify what is important and
prioritise. Learn to say “no”.
Depression is not a weakness, it’s a
serious condition for which effective
treatments are available – medical,
non-medical or a combination of both.
If you or someone you know has
some of these common symptoms of
depression and they’ve persisted for
more than two weeks, please consult
a doctor or other health professional.
• Feelings of failure, worthlessness
or guilt
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Loss of interest or pleasure
in activities
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Frequent anger or frustration
• Lack of confidence
• Poor concentration or
indecisiveness
• Tiredness
• Sleeping problems
• Feeling sick and rundown
• Changes in appetite
• Overuse or reliance on alcohol,
prescribed or illicit drugs
With the right treatment, recovery
from depression is common.
For more information on depression,
treatments and where to get help
visit www.beyondblue.org.au
or call 1300 22 4636 (local call).