Sarina Locke, the ABC 666 rural reporter was the MC of the evening and related her own family's rural situation facing fires in the Holbrook area.

Beyondblue CEO Leonie Young spoke about what beyondblue does and how a unified approach to depression between all governments and agencies was important, and how it gets the information out.

Beyondblue has had over three million visits to the website, and has been up by about 100,000 per month recently.

Men are more likely to suffer from depression than women, but there are similar rates in rural and metropolitan areas.

On a practical note, GPs can mow refer patients to 12 - 18 sessions with a psychologist, which are eligible for a Medicare rebate.

Professor Bryan Rodgers of ANU's National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health talked about the signs and symptoms of depression and how disabling the illness can be. It is estimated that 80,000 days per month are lost due to mental illness. He spoke about the range of names of conditions that all come under the title of depression.

Incitec Pivot's Manager for the Southern Tablelands, Noel Trevaskis, gave a first hand account of his experience with depression. Noel has travelled the country for 20 years sharing this with around 200 such forums, and is now based in Goulburn.

He talked out about the origins of his depression in a success driven work life and how he came to recognise it, and how he coped with the stigma.

He related how people don't send cards, gifts or flowers to people in hospital with mental illness and find it difficult to visit.

Trevaskis also noted how it is harder to deal with for men than women, as men don't talk about their feelings or even admit to taking anti depressants.

He also stressed that that no-one is immune to depression.

The co-ordinated approach to depression was reinforced by a number of Braidwood agencies that were on hand with information about their services.

The was some time for questions at the end of the forum. Another 60 forums are planned with one to be held in Goulburn on 1st March at 12.00 noon at Goulburn Workers Club.

The forums are sponsored by Incitec Pivot with support from beyondblue and was hosted in Braidwood by Landmark Daniel Walker.

For more information about depression, anxiety and related substance-use disorders, available treatments and where to get help call 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au