Warning: This story discusses serious mental health issues
Young rural Australians are more likely to face ongoing mental health problems, with less help available, compared to those living in urban environments.
A study conducted by The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) states that anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common burden among young Australians aged between 15-24.
Retiree, Yvonne Berkhout, has dealt with depression first hand and has seen it destroy her family.
“My son battled with bipolar disorder for years, which ultimately consumed him, and he took his life. He was only 29,” she said.
“From then I developed depression after losing him, which I then have been battling for 14 years.
“The lack of awareness people have when speaking about mental health is staggering, I advocate mental health awareness wherever I go, not only for myself but for my son who didn’t get the right help he needed.”
Mrs Berkhout has been an advocate for mental health in the regional town of Nowra since her son’s death, constantly reminding people of all ages how important it is to simply check in on how their friends and family members are doing.
“There doesn’t seem to be enough kindness in the world now, everyone seems cold and desensitised to the fact that they could be going through something,” she said.
“It doesn’t take much for a quick five-minute chat to simply ask the all-powerful question, ‘Are you ok?’.
“I needed it during my darkest time and I’m sure there are thousands of others like me who would speak up if given the opportunity.”
Anxiety disorders are more prevalent in young Australians at 17.1 per cent, and depression second, at 12 per cent.
People aged between 15-24 make up 13 per cent of Australia’s total population, making these statistics more worrying.
Rural towns are less likely to receive help for mental illnesses, largely because of less infrastructure and a lack of mental health professionals taking rural jobs.
Mrs Berkhout explained the problems she faced when her son finally sat down and explained to their family that he needed genuine help.
“He sat down with us one night and couldn’t keep it together, he begged for us to help him after explaining that he has been battling alone with his condition for so long,” she said.
“My husband and I quickly looked for professional help, but we couldn’t find anything locally, so we had to make the travel arrangements to Sydney.
“I remember them all seeming like robots, treating all patients like numbers.
“From then on out it was back and forth just to help him, which often led to his discharge multiple times, which was the worst thing – I have made my peace with the lack of care he received but it still hurts to this day.”
Young rural Australians are facing an increase toward mental health problems which could directly relate to smaller community awareness and the lack of help they desperately need.
Advocates such as Yvonne Berkhout are pressing the government for more funding towards improving the lives of those who are facing mental burdens all over Australia.
Video: Yvonne Berkhout’s life was turned upside down when she found out her son had taken his own life. Her son’s death caused her to fall into depression, which she has battled ever since. Despite the tragedy, she has since found light at the end of the tunnel, becoming an advocate for mental health awareness, in the hope that her story will make a difference to others. Retiree Kate Park also speaks about her beliefs that younger generations are not receiving the support and care they need when facing difficulties.
