MENTAL health group, Horsham Healthy Minds is calling on the Wimmera region to better understand the root causes of depression and anxiety rather than simply dealing with the symptoms.
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With Mental Health Week running from Monday to Friday it is timely reminder about mental health issues in regional Australian communities.
Spokesperson Rob Walters said the number of suicides a year in Australia was catastrophic.
“Conservatively, it is 2.5 times the national road toll,” he said.
“The single greatest cause of death for Australians between the age of 15 and 44 years is suicide.
“Despite all the government efforts there still appears no reduction.”
Mr Walters said too often the cause of a problem was ignored in favour of treating the symptoms.
Stress is the key factor Horsham Healthy Minds want to address, particularly how people deal with stress at and in their life.
“Stress is a phenomenon we can all relate to,” Mr Walters said.
“We learned from a world renowned expert what stress s and there is overwhelming scientific evidence that stress is a precursor to many modern illnesses, disease, addictions and behavioural problems.
“It comes with a paradoxical paradigm shift in our thinking to discover that there is a solution which is simple and cheap.”
Visiting Australia is Chris Ruane, the Honorary President of the UK Mindfulness All Party Parliamentary Group.
Mr Ruane is speaking with federal politicians about mindfulness..
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978 or the suicide helpline on 1300 651 251.
