Murray Bridge Medical Centre puts mental health as a priority
Murray Bridge Medical Centre encourages the rural community to bulldoze through the mental health barrier.
This sponsored story is brought to you by Murray Bridge Medical Centre.
"In some way, shape, or form we've all been affected by mental health."
Murray Bridge Medical Centre practice manager Wendy Ziersch hopes to highlight the importance of not only physical health but wellbeing, as well.
"There's still a lot of stigma around it, so breaking those barriers is part of raising the profile of mental health," she said.
Ms Ziersch encourages community members who may be struggling to just come in and chat with their local general practitioner.
"It's about working out a plan ... mental health isn't just depression, anxiety or tiredness, it can be a chemical imbalance."
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 42.9 per cent of people aged 16–85 years have experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life.
Doctor Kanwaljit Sekhon said it was important to seek help early to prevent symptoms from escalating.
"A lot of the time it's lack of support ... patients really just want to be listened to," he said.
Building a trusting and confident relationship with your GP was key to tackling these issues, Dr Sekhon said.
Types of support can include medication, counselling, psychological or psychiatric care.
Everyone's needs are unique to them.
For many rural patients — particularly in farming communities — it can be hard to find the time to see a GP.
Dr Sekhon encouraged farmers to use online resources such as Beyond Blue, the Black Dog Institute and telehealth appointments.
Telehealth provides the technology for clinicians and consumers to communicate face-to-face from different locations.
This allows remote patients to receive health services conveniently, reducing time and travel requirements.
"The wait times are often a lot shorter (than in person) appointments," Dr Sekhon said.
The current drought, going into its third year, is a big concern for the mental health of farming communities.
"(The farming community) has never seen anything like this," Ms Ziersch said.
"We've got to bulldoze through the mental health stigma."
"There's people and communities that are effected by mental health, not for themselves but for the impact that a family or friend has imposed.
"We see that ripple affect, it can almost be a contagion."
The Murray Bridge Medical Clinic is happy to meet the needs of community members wanting to meet with a GP discreetly, or those who feel uncomfortable sitting in the wait room.
"It just gives a spaces for people to pause and expand on their feelings," Ms Ziersch said.
- Get help: Talk to your GP; find a local mental health service that suits you at murraymallee.servicesdirectory.org.au; call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636; or, in an emergency, call 000.
- Book a health check: Visit Murray Bridge Medical Centre at 35-37 Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge between 8am and 9pm on weekdays, call 8531 2988 or visit www.murraybridgemedical.com.au.
Advertising to more than 20,000 highly engaged locals can do wonders for your business. Call Murray Bridge News’ Jane Intini on 0418 835 768 or email jane@murraybridge.news.
Peri Strathearn
