May 6, 2014
The Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) is looking for donations from the public to help keep its rural suicide prevention and financial counselling programs running.
Since 2007, BIEDO’s “Beating the Blues” program has helped many rural families and individuals cope with stress and depression.
It underwrites a rural counsellor who will go to families and individuals at their homes, their properties or their businesses, free of charge, and work with them in a non-threatening manner.
Free access to a Business Financial Counsellor is also available for people affected by natural disaster.
“BIEDO is committed to rural suicide prevention and the continuation of the important services it currently offers, especially rural counselling services,” BIEDO CEO Linda Silburn said.
Most of BIEDO’s rural suicide prevention program is funded only through initiatives such as sales of the North Burnett Flood Book and other fundraising ventures.
Linda said the Business Financial Counsellor was funded by the Federal Government, but only for another 12 months.
“We want to help as many people and families as possible to have access to free rural counselling,” she said.
“It can literally save someone’s life.”
Linda said there were three ways people could help BIEDO continue to provide free counselling services and rural suicide prevention programs: monetary donations, the purchase of a toy cattle dog, or the purchase of a copy of the North Burnett Flood Book.
This can be done via the BIEDO website
She said every cent raised went directly to rural counselling services and rural suicide prevention.
