Zoetis general manager Lance Williams hands over the $100,000 cheque to beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett.

LEADING animal health company Zoetis has donated $100,000 to the non-profit body beyondblue to support mental health and reduce suicide rates in rural Australia.

Earlier this year Zoetis became a Supporting Partner of beyondblue and launched a campaign to help raise awareness and much needed funds for the charity. For every Zoetis cattle, sheep or goat vaccine or drench sold by Zoetis between 1 August and 30 October 2016, the company donated $5, up to $100,000 to beyondblue.

Zoetis General Manager Lance Williams thanked all the producers, resellers, veterinarians and the broader rural community for supporting the valuable cause.

“Your generosity has helped Zoetis raise much-needed funds for beyondblue and we are proud to have partnered with the community to support mental health in rural Australia.

“We understand the devastating effect suicide can have on rural communities given our staff travel more than two million kilometres each year servicing some of the most remote areas of Australia, he said.

“Although we have reached our target of $100,000, our campaign doesn’t stop here.

“We encourage our staff and the wider community to continue to raise awareness of depression, anxiety and suicide prevention and help to reduce the associated stigma.”

beyondblue wants to instil confidence in all Australians to look after their own mental health and support those around them by making anxiety, depression and suicide part of everyday conversations. As well as tackling the stigma and discrimination, which is often directed at people with mental health conditions, beyondblue works to break down the barriers that prevent people from speaking up and reaching out.

Australia loses around eight people a day to suicide, and over a year, suicide deaths are double that of the national road toll. Zoetis said too many people who die by suicide are from rural farming communities.

beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett congratulated and thanked Zoetis for its commitment to mental health in their partnership with beyondblue.

“The rural community deserves access to mental health services and support like everyone else. beyondblue resources are designed to be accessed by anybody, anytime, anywhere in Australia whether online, by phone, web chat, email, social media or our printed materials.

“One of our most important services is the beyondblue 24-hour Support Service that anyone around the country can call at any time, day or night,” he said.

“Calls to the service have increased by 50 percent compared to the last financial year, so funds to keep the service running are a must.”

About 68,000 people living with depression and anxiety are turning to beyondblue’s online forums every month.

“On the forums people can talk freely, safely and anonymously about how they’re feeling with posts monitored by the team or clinically-trained moderators and volunteers, known as “community champions”, who offer peer support,” Mr Kennett said.

For more information about anxiety, depression and suicide, please visit www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support or call the 24/7 beyondblue Support Service on 1300 22 4636.

Source: Zoetis.