WOMEN play a crucial role in the growth and future of regional economies and communities, with one third of Australian women living in rural and regional areas.
Women are often juggling the demands of trying to be a perfect worker, parent, partner and friend, which can be nothing short of exhausting. When women feel they have fallen short of these standards, they can be quick to self-criticise.
In addition to everyday demands, major life transitions such as pregnancy, motherhood and menopause can create physical and emotional stresses for women. Negative life experiences such as infertility and perinatal loss, poverty, discrimination, violence, unemployment and isolation also impact on women’s mental health and wellbeing. In addition, unequal economic and social conditions can contribute to women’s higher risk of depression.
Now in its sixth year, Animal Health company Zoetis will continue to support the mental health challenges faced by people living in rural Australia through its crucial partnership with Beyond Blue, committing to raise up to $100,000 for the Beyond Blue Support Service in 2021.
For more information about depression and anxiety, visit www.beyondblue.org.au. To talk to a mental health professional for free, contact the 24/7 Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 46 36. Free web chat is also available from 3pm until midnight at beyondblue.org.au/getsupport and you can join the forums for free and download the BeyondNow app from the website.
