ABOUT ROC

There’s a tendency in the bush to say, “She’ll be right”. We’re very good at looking after other people, but the worst when it comes to caring for ourselves. - Pat Tripodi

How Does ROC Work?

We operate on two levels:

• MateKeepers – Local community members who are invited to complete basic awareness training and begin to reach out to save lives.
• Counselling Service - Help, support and mateship are based on caring and the best most effective caring is given freely, face to face, one-on-one. Our accredited professionals provide a safe, confidential environment for people to talk openly and honestly.

MateKeepers

What is the program?
The MateKeeper Program operates on the philosophy that catching people at the prevention and early intervention stages are best for the treatment for mental health. For this reason, we want people on the lookout for those who are struggling. MateKeepers work by communicating with people perceived to be struggling with mental health issues within our communities. We believe that an individual who is ‘at risk’ is the expert of their thoughts and emotions. MateKeepers provide support by acknowledging a person’s problems and helping them find the most appropriate solution.

What does it involve?
We provide QPR Training, which teaches MateKeepers how to constructively ask the question about someone’s suicidal intentions, persuade them to get help, and refer them onto relevant services. It also increases awareness of the signs of someone’s suicidal intentions. MateKeepers use this to go into the community and talk to people to find those who need that support. By doing this, MateKeepers reach out to save lives.

Who can apply?
Anyone can apply to become a MateKeeper, including people with a few close-knit mates through to those who are actively plugged into their wider community. Whether you have lived through mental health battles and have relevant lived experience or you’re an open and honest person who is willing to help someone through a tough time, you’re welcome to put your hand up to join the MateKeeper team. You don’t need anything other than passion for looking out for signs of someone struggling with their mental health in your community to apply.

What Do ROC Do?

Our main objectives are:

• Promoting a proactive approach to mental wellbeing within the community
• Increasing awareness about the importance of using help-seeking resources
• Offering support to those who can’t/won’t present to their GP or other services
• Developing confident first responders to be a listening ear
• Advocating on two levels of outreach: MateKeepers and Counselling 

How Did ROC Come To Be?

David Post and John Harper had been discussing the effectiveness of the kind of informal outreach they had been doing, and the obstacle of having to present for treatment that kept so many people from seeking help. This discussion turned to how they might formalise that informal process of outreach so it was sustainable, and the idea of Rural Outreach Counselling was born. 

Where We Service

ROC started the Riverina region of New South Wales and now covers southern NSW and parts of northern Vic. Although the administrative office is based in Wagga Wagga, ROC's focus is to service the smaller towns and communities where there is minimal access to on-the-ground mental health services. All initial contact or service is based on the outreach model of face-to-face, and where possible, in the home.

Who Are We?

PATRICK TRIPODI

PRESIDENT
​MATEKEEPER

I’ve lived in the Riverina region all my life. I have a family member who suffers depression and both my best mate’s daughter and my sister-in-law died by suicide. So for me, the issue of depression and its effect on families is very personal.

We need to make people aware that there are things we can all do to help others to get help. I couldn’t help those people in my life, but I can certainly do something now to help others.

In my role as President, I’ll be trying to spread the message as far as I can to garner support for the program. I’m also part of a group called the Calos (motorcycle) Riders Club that has been raising funds and awareness for mental health for years. We’re supporting and partnering with ROC to reach out to those who may not otherwise seek help.

DAVID POST BA, BSW, JP

RELATIONSHIP, PERSONAL  & FAMILY COUNSELLOR

I’m a trained professional – bush born and bred with a massive passion for regional Australia. I’ve worked for many years in the field of relationship and family counselling so I have a deep understanding of how mental ill-health manifests in the bush.

I saw the funding for rural mental health services dry up after ten years of drought – when the rain began, all the problems were not washed away – and the lack of recognition of the need for ongoing outreach counselling since then is taking a huge toll on rural families and communities.

We’re not looking to bypass other professionals.  ROC aims to short-circuit wait times to ensure help is available to those in need within a shorter time frame.

JOHN HARPER

MATE HELPING MATE FOUNDER
MATEKEEPER

I suffered depression in 2000; contemplated suicide, nearly lost my wife, my family, my farm, my livelihood and my life. More by luck than good management I survived, developed strategies to cope and realised the importance of family, mates and the community in mental wellbeing.

In 2006 I became a proactive and outspoken mental health advocate after helping a mate through his depression with the aid of my experiences.

ROC is important because it is a means of unlocking community knowledge and using that collective insight for the benefit of individuals within that community. Without doubt outreaching with help and support minimises the negative outcomes of poor mental health and reduces suicide.