MENTAL health and wellbeing support body Beyond Blue has joined forces with animal health company Zoetis to focus on women’s mental health this year.

With one third of Australian women living in rural and regional areas, the partners said women play a crucial role in the growth and future of regional economies and communities.

Unfortunately, women experience some mental health conditions at higher rates than men. Women are often juggling the demands of trying to be a perfect worker, parent, partner and friend, which can be nothing short of exhausting. And when women feel they have fallen short of these standards, they can be quick to self-criticise, the partners said.

In the sixth year of its partnership with Beyond Blue, Zoetis said it will continue to support the mental health challenges face by rural Australians and has committed to raise up to $100,000 for the Beyond Blue Support Service in 2021.

Zoetis has helped raise $500,000 in the past five years by donating $5 from each sale of the company’s livestock, pig and poultry vaccines and drenches.

The money raised goes directly to the Beyond Blue Support Service to continue helping people living in remote areas who experience higher rates of mental health conditions and suicide. To date, thanks to Zoetis’s donation, more than 8000 people have been able to get the support they need through the service.

Zoetis senior vice president and cluster lead for Australia and New Zealand, Lance Williams, said his company is proud to once again be supporting Beyond Blue and the important work it does.

“We knew that supporting mental health in rural Australia was critical when we first embarked on this support campaign, but we didn’t know then just how important the partnership would be.

“Together we have made strong progress in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of rural families and individuals, and we are passionate about helping again this year.”

Beyond Blue chief executive officer Georgie Harman said the Beyond Blue Support Service continued to experience increased demand since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year has brought its challenges and people have got in touch with us for many reasons.

“They might be feeling worried, lonely, concerned about their health or the health of friends and loved ones, finances or job security,” Ms Harman said.

“Whatever the reason, Beyond Blue wants people to know that no problem is too big or small to reach out.

“Sometimes, just talking to someone can make a difference,” she said.

“Through this partnership, Beyond Blue can support many people in rural areas and we are very grateful for the ongoing support from Zoetis.”

The Beyond Blue Support Service offers free and immediate counselling, advice and referrals via phone, webchat or email. In addition to the support service, Beyond Blue has resources and information online at www.beyondblue.org.au, including Online Forums which offer peer support in a safe, moderated setting.

People can support the Zoetis initiative from July 15 to October 31, 2021. For more information is available on www.zoetis.com.au

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.

The free Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is available 24/7 at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au Its dedicated phone line, staffed by mental health professionals trained on the pandemic response, is available on 1800 512 348.