Shine Awards: Bold wheatbelt wellness campaigner Elyssa Giedraitis is walking her positive talk

Witnessing the heartbreak left by suicides in her rural community became too much for Elyssa Giedraitis. She decided to act.

West Australian businesswoman Elyssa Giedraitis, 27, has brought attention to the mental health challenges and other stress factors facing rural communities in her state, including the devastating impact of suicide.

For Elyssa Giedraitis, years of witnessing the heartbreak caused by suicides in her rural community in Western Australia’s wheatbelt became too much. So she put her digital marketing skills to use and started a not-for-profit community project with the aim of breaking down stigmas and providing a spark to ignite conversations about mental health struggles.

Since its inception last year, the 27-year-old’s WELL in the Wheatbelt campaign has included fundraising events, a podcast and surveys, all in a bid to help her community.

“I have struggled with my mental health for over 10 years, and over the past couple of years I have known too many people who have committed suicide,” Ms Giedraitis said. “That was what really prompted me to start the project, because we can’t keep losing people to suicide.”

A national survey of 1338 farmers last year found almost half had thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Ms Giedraitis said that since the WELL in the Wheatbelt campaign started, she had noticed a shift in the community and increased openness to talk about mental health concerns.

“I talked to quite a few different farmers for a series called Insights from the Wheatbelt and it was so eye opening,” she said.

“They told me their stories and how they are doing mentally at the moment, and that really opened up a lot of conversations.

“I know that when I am struggling and I talk, get it out, I talk about it, I feel way better, and I know other people feel the same.”

As well as her digital marketing business, Ms Giedraitis also runs a social media page called AGForm, which raises issues important to people living in the wheatbelt.

The young mother, who is pregnant with her second child, aims to give younger Australians a better insight into rural life.

One of the key issues she’s been focusing on lately is the Albanese government’s ban on live sheep exports and the ramifications for West Australian sheep farmers.

“I really try to focus on how it’s going to affect people,” she said.

“I feel like that probably resonates with other people more than just giving them the facts.

“I wanted to be able to use my skills to help amplify the voices of the agricultural industry.”

For her advocacy, Ms Giedraitis has been nominated for a Shine Award. Now in their eighth year, the awards – run by our rural masthead The Weekly Times and supported by Harvey Norman – recognise the achievements and contributions of women across rural and regional Australia.

To nominate someone, go to shineawards.com.au