MENTAL HEALTH DISASTER IN THE BUSH
THE bush is in the grip of a mental health crisis, with the rate of youth suicide in rural and regional areas 66 per cent higher than in our cities. 
Experts say the appalling statistic is being driven by isolation, the stigma associated with mental health issues and a lack of services.
Country GPs are scrambling to meet the demand.
A recent Garvan Institute report has revealed that depression, anxiety and sleep disturbance represent 60 per cent of an average country GP's caseload.
"There is a crisis and a complete disconnect," University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre co-director Ian Hickie said.
"Young people are telling us about their needs. We know where the hot-spots are - they are in rural and regional Australia. Those hot-spots relate to a lack of services.
"One in 10 young people are already engaging in self-harming behaviour, and you see 15 per cent of young girls overtly talking about suicide ideation and 10 per cent of young men. Now if that doesn't make everyone in the country stop and think, then I don't know what will." The Black Dog Institute last week revealed the local government areas of Albury, Shoalhaven and Tweed have the state's highest rates for suicide and self-harm.Prof Hickie said people in the Hunter, New England, Central Coast, and Broken Hill areas are the others most in need of mental health services.