Popular mental health presenter Steve Carrigg was back in Tenterfield earlier this month at the invitation of the CWA Evening Branch. He educated those attending an information session held at Total Care on signs that a person may be struggling with their mental health, and how to find and provide help.
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Mr Carrigg is a coordinator with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) for the Northern NSW Local Health District. RAMHP is not a counselling service but rather a linking services to resources. As Tenterfield struggles to determine in which health district it would be better off, Mr Carrigg said he recognises no such boundaries and is happy to be invited along for short sessions such as this one, up to mental health workshops over several days. All his services are free.
“I try to reduce the stigma around mental health, which gives people more chance to get the help they need,” he said.
He said while there’s no evidence of a higher incidence of mental health issues in country areas, there do appear to be more complications, possibly due to remoteness from services.
CWA branch president Mary Hennessy said the organisation’s state executive offered its branches a choice of presentations and she was attracted to this short session, to accommodate those who work business hours.
“We don’t often have access to this sort of information, and it’s helpful for all of us.” she said.
