13/03/2024
Helpful page for us country folk! :)
If youโre a rural mental health advocate or organisation hosting events, thank you for your service and work.
Can we please take a moment to encourage those in this space not to use โfree boozeโ as the main draw card? ๐๐ป
Given the clear and irrefutable links between alcohol dependence and mental health struggles in rural spaces - we are all mandated to ensure the focus isnโt on using booze as a way to encourage our mates (especially rural men) to open up.
At SITC we have heard from countless blokes over the last decade that they ironically feel excluded and awkward at some events where the focus is very much all about the grog.
The good news is that a better way and solution is so easy โค๏ธ๐ค - just include delicious, tasty, thoughtful alternatives to alcohol in your catering. Whether thatโs a zero alc beer or sparkling water - these are small, thoughtful, inclusive and essential things we can all do to ensure our mates choosing less beers or no beers for their best mental health feel welcome too ๐๐ผ
If you can enjoy a couple of drinks in moderation, you do you ๐ค - but when we ensure others are supported to do what they need to - thatโs where the real impact and change is happening.
To the growing and increasing organisations and facilitators making these changes and helping us - our gratitude is eternally yours.
When we make it - we change and save rural lives ๐ซถ๐ป