Relationships in rural and remote areas have a unique set of pressures and challenges.
Australia is a very large country. The majority of the population lives along our coastline, in large cities or towns. The rest of the population is spread across the country in many rural cities, towns, and remote communities.
Men, women, children and young people living in rural and regional communities face many pressures that people from cities do not. These include the threat of drought or flooding; fluctuations in the price of goods, isolation; and a lack of access to many goods and services, including support services. Such financial and social pressures often cause stress, which can lead to:
- depression
- relationship breakdown
- family violence
- an increased use of alcohol, drugs and cigarettes
- an increased risk of farm accidents
- an increased risk of mental illness and suicide.
Finally, a lack of educational and employment opportunities in many rural and remote areas of Australia force many young people to move to metropolitan areas. This puts a further burden on those who stay behind.
People in geographically remote and isolated areas can't easily travel to get to services they need. But, like anyone else in the community, they have a need, at times, for relationship support to address pressing relationship difficulties. When help is not available, relationships often worsen as people resign themselves to putting up with a bad situation because it is so hard to get help.
Having relationship support when there are difficulties is a vital step in improving our quality of life.
Relationship Support Services
- Contact your nearest Relationships Australia office for relationship support (which may include Counselling and Family Dispute Resolution)
- Rural Links
- Rural Websites - offering support and information for rural people