Remoteness is a major risk factor contributing to mental health issues and suicide, with regional and rural suicide rates 60% higher than rates in major cities.

In addition, people in outer regional, remote or very remote areas of Australia face more barriers to accessing health care than people living in major cities..

In a continued effort to raise awareness of mental health in rural and regional Australia, animal health business Zoetis has partnered with Beyond Blue to support mental health initiatives and reduce the stigma around mental health.

Over the past six years, Zoetis has raised $600,000 for the Beyond Blue Support Service by donating $5 from each sale of the company’s livestock, pig and poultry vaccines and drenches.

The company is again aiming to raise $100,000 by the end of the year.

“The money raised goes directly to the Beyond Blue Support Service to continue helping people living in remote areas,” Zoetis Australia and New Zealand senior vice president Lance Williams said.

“To date, thanks to Zoetis’s donation, over 12,000 people have been able to get the support they need through the service.”