TAMWORTH residents got insights into mental health issues, their causes and potential solutions at a rural mental health forum at Coledale Community Centre on Thursday night.
Mental health service providers, community support groups and experts were among the attendees for the event, facilitated by former journalist and now mental health advocate Jeff McMullen.
The forum covered forms of mental illness, including stress, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as the increasing rates of suicide in rural and regional areas.
"The community closed a lot of the space between the different organisations and everyone talked very directly and honestly about how to do better," Mr McMullen said.
Solutions to local issues were also discussed, particularly issues with alcohol and drug dependency.
