Wed. Oct 9th, 2024

The Tamworth Suicide Prevention Collaborative (TSPC) is proud to announce a new initiative aimed at providing mental health support to hard-to-reach rural men.

This initiative includes the distribution of specially designed postcards and bar coasters across local businesses and licensed venues in the Tamworth region.

The TSPC, a coalition of local organisations dedicated to suicide prevention, has developed these resources to bridge the gap in mental health support for rural men who may not readily access traditional community or primary health services. The postcards are being made available at rural agriculture shops, butcheries, and other small businesses, while the bar coasters will be distributed in pubs, clubs, and hotels.

Richard Nankervis, CEO of the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, highlighted the initiative’s significance.

“We recognised a crucial need for targeted help-seeking resources that cater specifically to rural men and their families. The design of these materials was carefully crafted through consultations with local men to ensure relevance and effectiveness.” said Nankervis.

Each postcard and coaster includes a QR code that directs users to a website with additional support resources. The materials also feature two podcasts, providing an alternative channel for men to engage with mental health content. These podcasts cover topics like parenting from a male perspective and personal mental health experiences, catering to those who may prefer audio content over traditional outreach methods.

Tanya Hague, Mental Health Team Leader at HealthWISE, emphasised the collaborative nature of the initiative.

“Suicide prevention is a community-wide effort. Effective support requires contributions from various services and sectors. We are committed to a cross-sectoral approach to address this issue comprehensively.” said Hague.

“With seven out of nine people who die by suicide each day in Australia being men, it is crucial to provide accessible and non-threatening support options. By placing these resources in diverse locations such as gyms, motels, and barbershops, we increase the chances that men will encounter and utilise these help-seeking resources.” said Kate Arndell, Service Manager of the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.

The collaborative effort includes key stakeholders such as the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network, Hunter New England Local Health District, HealthWISE, Centacare, Tamworth Family Support, the Department of Education, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, Flourish, New Horizons, and other local Tamworth organisations.

The TSPC’s initiative represents a significant step towards improving mental health support accessibility for rural men and fostering a supportive community environment.


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