‘It’s only going to get worse’: The state of regional mental health

A key mental health spokesperson has criticised the lack of government action in tackling the issue, as the data reveals a concerning increase in suicide rates.

The number of regional Victorians who took their own lives rose almost 7 per cent last year, as government commitment to tackling mental health comes under fire.

Key mental health advocate Matt Berriman this month resigned as chair of national charity Mental Health Australia, squaring his frustration at government inaction to tackle the nationwide problem.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare suicide data for 2023 showed there were 281 suicides in regional Victoria, an increase from the 263 recorded in 2022.

In NSW, 435 suicides were recorded in 2023 in all areas outside of greater Sydney, up on the 411 in 2022.

To compare, metropolitan Melbourne recorded 520 suicides in 2023.

In March last year, the National Farmer Wellbeing Report found one in seven surveyed farmers had attempted suicide or self-harm in the five years prior, with almost a third saying their mental health had declined.

Mr Berriman told The Weekly Times when looking at regional Australia, there were “significantly more challenges” in reaching mental health help, although an increasing number of Australians – regardless of location – were struggling with access.

“There is a scarcity of professionals who can provide help, there are long wait times and recent funding cuts have meant there are even further financial challenges for people to obtain mental health help,” Mr Berriman said.

Mental Health Australia Chair Matt Berriman resigned last week, citing frustration from a lack of government action to tackle mental health nationwide. Picture: Supplied

“Couple this with the cost-of-living crisis, it is sad that people need to often choose between their mental health or making ends meet.”

Mr Berriman said the government’s “lack of actions has spoken louder than their words”. 

Regional filmmaker Leila McDonald, who turned her lens to the issue of farming mental health with her recently-premiered film Not Just A Farmer, said her interactions with the public across the country showed sentiment around regional mental health was shifting, but more resources were needed to tackle the issue.

“There’s more empathy developing for farmers, people are starting to realise that if we don’t look after them, they’re not going to have food,” Leila said.

She said while the Norco report published last year was a step in the right direction, not a lot was being done by stakeholders.

“What’s being done to address is now?” Ms McDonald said.

“Somebody needs to take action and do something. We’re just going round and round in circles … it’s only going to get worse.”

Farmer turned filmmaker Leila McDougall., Leila has co-produced, written and stars in the film, Just a Farmer, which was shot on her own Victorian property. Picture: Supplied

Last year’s Victorian government budget allocated $776 million for critical bed-based services, earlier support in community mental health services, and the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act, which came in in September.

Federally, the government allocated a $586.9 million package to reform the mental health and suicide prevention system, including more than $91 million across five years to address psychology training bottlenecks.

If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, call Lifeline on 131 114, or text 0477 131 114.