Let's Talk truck drives home mental health message

The stressors of life have had a devastating impact on farmers and their families, with higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicide a disturbing trend in rural communities.

But Mortlake residents have recently banded together to smash mental health stigma.

Mortlake resident and veterinarian Craig Wood said you didn't have to look far afield to find someone with some form of mental illness.

"Unfortunately it hits pretty close to home for a lot of us," he said.

"I've been in the area coming up 20 years and I get around on a lot of farms... and if you go back far enough there were negative connotations around mental health as it was something people hid from their community and families.

"But the Mortlake community has really got around each other of late and have encouraged people to really open up to the fact that it is an illness and that you can seek help."

Mr Wood is a board member of Let's Talk, a south-west foundation breaking the stigma of mental health, and the worshipful master of Mortlake's Masonic Lodge.

On Friday, he helped unveil a new truck that is making its way around the south-west with an important message: To reach out and help those who might be struggling.

The signage was funded by Freemasons South-West Victoria and is splashed across a truck from Mortlake's Cathcart Transport, which is owned by Dwayne and Jo Dolling.

Mr Dolling said he was happy to help smash the stigma of "a hidden killer".

"Let's Talk is a really good community-based program and the more people we can get talking about mental health, the better," he said.

John Patterson, from the Freemasons Victoria, said the foundation had provided over $100,000 to Let's Talk in recent years.

"Why? Mainly because suicide rates are partially high in country areas like Mortlake," he said.

"You look at the bushfires, the drought, and now COVID-19, it's difficult times and it's about connecting with people and getting that message out there that it's OK to have a conversation about mental health.

"We aren't going to beat it (mental illness) but if we can make it better or someone, we are having success, and if even one person can benefit, it's money well spent."

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