“Need help getting out of the mud? There are plenty of mates out there that can give you a tow, or even just take the time for a yarn.”

Collerriena Hall was the venue for a men’s catch-up last week as Mary O’Brien of ‘Are you bogged mate?’ travelled out to the small rural centre to discuss helping country blokes talk about mental health and suicide and to spread awareness around depression in the bush.

The Hall is 15 kilometres from the official geographical heart of NSW, at Buddabadah between Nyngan and Tottenham.

“It was a great event,” said Ms O’Brien founder of ‘Are you bogged mate’. So good to get a group of blokes together out there.

“Depression in the bush is a lot like getting bogged in the mud.

"It might have been just a sticky patch of the road or paddock where the vehicle stopped moving, maybe you needed low range or to winch yourself out."

Mary O'Brien Founder of "Are you Bogged Mate" - Image courtesy AYBM

“But what happens when you get properly bogged? When it’s down to the running boards, sitting on the chassis, you are not getting out of this one easily – that’s the kind of bogged we mean.

“Country blokes are facing challenges like never before, but it doesn’t mean you need to get stuck in the mud.

"There are plenty places to go to get a tow and it takes guts to admit you’re bogged. We’re making sure you’re connected with the right hands to pull you out.

“There are multitudes of factors that lead to depression in rural men – droughts, floods, rising input costs, falling commodity prices, pressure from banks, family pressure, feeling compelled to stay on the farm, etcetera."

Locals gather for Are you bogged mate event in Collerreina - Image supplied.

“Today rural men and particularly farmers have additional pressures to previous generations. They are expected to be soil scientists, agronomists, hydrologists, accountants, meteorologists, chemical experts, mechanics, engineers, marketers, environmentalists and the list goes on. 

“The suite of skills needed to live and work in the rural sector has never been greater and yet the divide been city and country has never been bigger.

“And if all that isn’t enough pressure for rural blokes, what about adding a sick child, the loss of a loved one or a marriage breakdown into the equation. It’s a lot.”

Organiser Jeff Fragar said the event was brilliant - Image supplied.

Organiser Jeff Fragar said it was a great night and good to see so many men from around the district attend.

“Mary did a brilliant job and got us all thinking a bit about mental health for men. Men being men we don’t find it easy to talk about things that are troubling us.

“With the high rate of suicide – around one a day, Mary gave us tools to deal with any feelings we may have and how to reach out if we need to.

“Not only do you get an idea of what help is available, you also realise you are not the only one in that scenario. It was very helpful to all who attended," said Mr Fragar.

“There’s a lot of challenges of living in the bush and it takes guts to speak out if you’re bogged. Look out for your mates and help them reach out to the right people,” said Ms O’Brien.

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