19. Access to Crisis Line/s

People in crisis, including when in despair and seeing no way out, can be helped by having someone immediately available to speak to. NSW Health has established the Rural Support Line The Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, Rural Financial Counseling Services and NSW DPI have provided introductory training for the counselors, and are working to ensure that the service is relevant and accessible. Other Crisis Lines are accessible, including Lifeline, Drought Support Line etc.

There appears to be some confusion about which line is most appropriate to call, each line offers somewhat different service and approach. A task to be undertaken by the Network is to identify all relevant Crisis Lines and define their role and type of service provided, in order for the Network to provide appropriate support and publicity to the services on offer to farming people. TISCA may be helpful.

Lead action: Graeme James
Working Group Convenor

NSW Rural Mental Health Support Line
1800 201 123

Lifeline
131114

Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health:
Access to crisis lines
www.crrmh.com.au

Overview of the range of resources and programs focussing on
the mental health and wellbeing of people of NSW farms
www.mulganet.net.au