Mentally ill failed in regions

IT is disturbing to note that people in Townsville and North Queensland are having to be flown by the Royal Flying Doctor Service to get help with their mental health.

The statistics are damning, with Mount Isa having the fifth-highest number of patients retrieved in Australia.

The research, released today, shows not that people in regional areas have more issues with mental health, rather it’s a lack of services that are hurting them the most.

It is not fair that people living remotely struggle so much; the research and anecdotal evidence shows that people living more in isolation can struggle with their mental health.

Better and more services should be available to people; the message about taking care of your mind is getting out there more and more.

But if there are not enough services to back it up the messages become irrelevant.

Big weekend of footy

THE atmosphere at the Townsville Blackhawks game on Saturday was electric.

It was a special win by the Blackhawks against the second-placed WynnumManly team.

Down a player for more than half the game, Townsville’s state rugby league team found a way to win.

Not only was it amazing to see the side get up but the support from the crowd at Jack Manski Oval was huge.

After the game the players said it was the loudest they had heard the place.

It just shows how much a crowd lifts a team when they need it the most.

With the Cowboys winning well on Friday night it was a big weekend of rugby league for Townsville.

This week promises to be huge, too, with the Cowboys playing their final game on Thursday at 1300Smiles Stadium.

The Cowboys have a lot planned for the day and the best part is how much it is looking back at the past to players and people that have helped transform the club into the professional outfit it is today.