Bus campaign promotes mental health

The big blue bus visited communities across the Pilbara last week as part of Beyond Blue's 30,000km National Roadshow to promote mental health awareness.

Beyond Blue youth ambassador Bronwyn Collins said the roadshow offered residents many different opportunities to join Beyond Blue and take one step towards better mental health.

"When we are out on the road people approach us and we will often be their first point of contact for addressing mental health issues or searching for information, and it's great for them to take that first step with us," she said.

"It can be as simple as referring people to their local health services, encouraging them to talk to a friend or family member, or their local GP."

"We also really encourage people to take part in our mental health pledge, where people are able to write down what they are going to do to take one step for better mental health and post that in our bus mailbox. Then we send that back to them in 12 months time."

Ms Collins, who has dealt with depression and anxiety, said it was personally rewarding to be part of the roadshow and help others seek help early.

"It's fantastic to see the response we get when we go into the communities around different people sharing their story and also wanting to help those around them," she said.

"We also have several local health services with us and the bus is here to complement their services.

"Having been through those hard times myself, it's really good to see that there is change in the works and that people are willing to seek help early."

If you need support for, or information about, depression and anxiety for yourself, a friend or family member, please call the Beyond Blue 24/7 support service on 1300 22 4636 or the website www.beyondblue.org.au for advice online.