Just a Farmer screens in Yea

SARAH Austin is the mental health nurse and community health manager at the Yea and District Memorial Hospital.

She explained that in conjunction with Murrindindi Shire Council and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, they decided to bring the Just a Farmer movie to Yea.

It was screened on Thursday, February 6, to a large audience.

Sarah said that the decision was based on a few things, “but because it is about farmers and suicide, we thought it was quite a good thing to screen to get the community to be aware of mental health and the impacts that suicide can have on a whole community.

It raises things like stigma, and how other community members respond to someone committing suicide.

It also touches on drugs and alcohol, mainly alcohol, but also the isolation around what it can be like for the family of someone who commits suicide, and the avoidance of people.”

The film can be watched online at justafarmermovie.com

Sarah said, “The purpose of the evening is to inform people about our mental health services at the hospital, and to get people to come together to recognise mental health in general, but also to reach out for help.

Whether that’s through reaching out directly to the hospital, or it’s through one of the phone services or even just letting a neighbour know so they can contact people for you.

And that’s why we’re out and about in the community as well, and at the saleyards, so people recognise we’re around, and know that we’re around if they need something. I think just starting the conversation is the main point.

“At the moment, there’s no real wait list. We offer free services at the hospital. The other thing is…