Overcoming physical isolation

Practical advice to help you help yourself

You can experience difficulties whether you are in country or city areas. We often talk about rural areas and city areas as if they were quite different. In some respects they are, in others they are not.

Your feelings about things affecting you, like how you get on with your family, will probably be the same wherever you live. If you can't afford a bus ticket or a DVD it doesn't really make a lot of difference whether you are in the city or the country. If you think that your parents or friends don't understand you, it's the same sort of difficulty wherever you are.

But...

There are very real differences between country and urban areas when it comes to unemployment and health. And sometimes you can find it hard to find someone to talk with about the problems - and that's why isolation is so hard.

Getting a job

If you're unemployed in country areas there are often fewer jobs to try for. It can also be hard to meet the requirements of Centrelink, especially if you have to travel to their office and you haven't got a car and there's no public transport.

In a small country town, it's often not what you know but who you know that counts. If you think you don't have the right connections, you could try to make them. In every town and community there are influential groups and people. You probably know who they are in your area. Introduce yourself to people who are in a position to know the local employers, some of these people may be shop owners or the Shire President, or, if you are Aboriginal, the head of your Land Council.

There are other groups in towns that may have schemes to help local young people. Try your local Rotary or Lions or Apex Club members.

Sometimes leaving the town you grew up in can be the best way to get a job and further education. Small towns often only have limited training and employment opportunities. It may be hard to leave your family and the place you call home, but it's definitely not a sign of 'failure' in any way. Once you get a first job or some training, you may decide to return to a country area.

Some people decide not to leave the town they grew up in. Many of their friends leave and go to live in other places. This can be hard, but deciding to stay where you grew up can be a good thing to do if it is right for you.

Health issues

If you're worried about your own health in any way, or the health of a family member or friend, make sure you get some advice. If you don't want to visit the local doctor or hospital (if you've got one) you can start your enquiries over the phone. Look in the index in the front of your phone book. It has "Addictions", "AIDS/HIV", "Alcohol and Drug Service", and so on.

If you can't find what you want, look up the nearest Community health centre in the phone book. Or you can ring a neighbouring town if you prefer. Remember, talking to people about your feelings or problems can help a lot.

You can also look in the Who can help you section for information about other specific people and services.

Remember...

The best way to overcome the feelings that come with physical isolation is to stay connected to other people and to your community. Involve yourself in as much as you can and talk with people.

Call Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline - 13 11 14. Or try the email / web counselling available on the Kids Helpline site.

Get involved with Reach Out - look around the site to see all the ways you can get involved and stay connected. ActNow is another great site to explore and get involved in too!