AS rates of depression and suicide continue to remain far higher in country areas, the often unspoken issue was laid bare at the Elmore Field Days on Wednesday.
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Network Ten personality and former Rochester High School student Brad McEwan spoke of his experiences growing up in the country and coping with the loss of his brother and father to suicide 20 years ago.
It is an experience McEwan is committed to speaking openly and frankly about.
While admitting the problem is complex, he told a captive audience in the auditorium at the Elmore Events Centre the more people who talked about it, the better.
“The starting point is to just talk about it. Like my mum always says, ‘A problem shared is a problem halved’,” he said.
The loss of his two close family members has weighed on McEwan throughout his life, even as he climbed the ladder in the national media.
He told the audience he often wakes up in the morning and struggles to find motivation. But when that happens, he knows what he needs to do.
“There’s always help available. I was put in touch with someone – a psychologist – and we just gelled. What I needed was a good chat,” McEwan said.
He has also used the lessons he has learnt as a beyondblue ambassador to support other family members facing tough times.
McEwan noticed his nephew was struggling, but it would take three months for him to be able to get support in Bendigo.
“It just wasn’t good enough, but we kept trying and we managed to get the support he needed,” he said.
“Week by week you could see the change, and by the end he was the one asking all of the questions, he had all of the energy.”
Despite seeing how positive conversations can help, McEwan said it was often difficult in country towns.
“People talk about the support you receive living in a country town, and of course that’s true. They’ll bring around a casserole and sure, it’s great, but then we have to get on with our lives,” he said.
“How many times have you heard someone say, ‘You know, I’m a deep down in the dumps’, and the response will be, ‘Let’s get a beer, you’ll be right’. That just makes it worse.”
Audience members asked about dealing with a family member whose depression has transferred into substance abuse, as well as how to help those who don’t want help.
McEwan said substance abuse could be seen as a “cry for help”.
He said some people say they don’t want help, but eventually they will.
“You just need to make sure that you’re there when they want to talk,” he said.
If you or anyone you know is in need of support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
