A program aimed at saving lives across regional Tasmania is set to receive a $1.7 million funding boost in the upcoming state budget.
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Health Minister Michael Ferguson announced on Thursday that Rural Alive and Well would receive funding over the next three years to continue its important work across the state.
The initiative is aimed at offering free, 24-hour support to rural communities when life gets tough, with a particular emphasis on suicide prevention, mental health and well-being.
RAW president Ian McMichael said if the organisation had not received the funding, it would have had to reduce staff.
“It will give a lot of confidence to rural communities to know that our people will be out there and they care about what’s going on,” Mr McMichael said.
“Rural people are not the sort of people that want to be in an office talking to somebody, it’s not their nature.
“In the last 12 months our services, our calls to it, have risen by close to 40 per cent.”
Mr Ferguson said RAW's outreach program provided a friendly ear, support, information and assistance at any time, over the phone or face-to-face.
“It’s a flexible workforce, they’re highly adaptable, and really professional in their approach, and above all, they’re caring,” he said.
“There are times in all of our lives where we are doing it very tough and we’re in a gloomy period where we might think no one else cares – there is someone who cares.”
If you, or anyone you know, need support, RAW can be contacted anytime on 1300 4357 6283.