Convincing men in rural areas to think differently is the key to conquering the spiralling rate of depression and male suicide, according to the founder and Chair of beyondblue, Jeff Kennett.

Addressing the Farm Writers' monthly forum in Sydney, Mr Kennett told guests that while rates of depression were similar in the city and rural Australia, the rate of suicide was higher among young rural men.

In Australia, approximately one male farmer dies from suicide every four days.

"We need to reduce the stigma of mental illness – we need to be able to talk about depression in the community in the same way we now talk about breast cancer and prostate cancer," Mr Kennett said.

Beyondblue, the national depression initiative, was established in 2000 with the key objectives to remove the stigma from mental illness, commission research and develop education material to help deal with depression.

"One million Australians suffer from depression each year and they have at least two carers – that brings the number of people affected by the disease to three million," Mr Kennett said.

"It is the epidemic of the Western world."

While the suicide rate in Australia seems to have reached a plateau, according to Mr Kennett, it is still highest among young men in the bush in the 22 to 34 age group.

"Less employment in country areas, women leaving to pursue city careers, the ongoing drought, isolation and lack of facilities are key factors to this increasing problem, with male suicide rates being higher in the bush."

Beyondblue funded research shows farmers often have a poor understanding of mental health and are reluctant to access formal health care.

"You take a bloke out in the bush 600 miles from anywhere, sitting on his tractor alone, unable to farm because of the drought and showing all the signs of depression.

"He doesn’t go for help – he goes down to the pub and alcohol feeds into the illness and the condition worsens.

"Men on the farm wear it as a badge of honour when they are sick and still go on working – and this is what has to change.

"The message has to go out [that] depression is an illness – not a weakness – and men shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for help.

"Depression can be treated and people can go on to live full and active lives," he said.

Beyondblue has recently launched a new campaign to raise awareness in rural areas of their website www.beyondblue.org.au and their help line.

Response to the information line has been keen with 500 people calling the number in the first month.

Contact the beyondblue help line on 1300 13 11 14.