Each week, the YP Country Times highlights local volunteer groups and their vital work across Yorke Peninsula. If you’re part of a group and have a story to share, email joanna@ypct.com.au.

SOS Yorkes, also known as Stamp Out Suicide Yorke Peninsula, is a group solely dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention, with the aim of fostering a compassionate, respectful and resilient community.

As the only currently active mental health support group in the region, SOS Yorkes is always busy. 

Recently, the group fully funded and delivered free mental health first aid courses in Minlaton and Maitland, helping the community expand its understanding of mental health.

Through those courses, 46 people have been trained to support others in need.

SOS Yorkes chair Ann Clothier, who has been involved with the group for eight years, said joining brought a range of benefits.

“It helps members of our community to feel connected with their community, and helps you feel more confident in checking in with others,” Ms Clothier said.

Despite the group almost collapsing due to a lack of volunteers last June, Ms Clothier said volunteers from across South Australia were now supporting their mission.

“Meeting via Zoom makes us coming together possible — we always welcome new members,” she said.

“We are unique in the way that we cover such a large area.”

She also acknowledged the dedication of long-standing members such as secretary Kylie Correll (five years) and Kim Elsworthy (eight years), alongside the new volunteers now contributing to the group.

Since taking on the role of chair, Ms Clothier had hoped to garner enough support to bring her blue tractor project to life. 

Inspired by the Blue Tree Project, the initiative aims to spark conversations around mental health. The group is currently applying for grants to make it possible.

“We are hoping to get some funding for the blue tractor project, which will be part of the Price tractor pull in August,” she said.

“This blue tractor will be transported from town to town around YP with a QR code and information relating to where you can get help (mental health resources).”

The tractor pull will be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 2-3, 10am to 2pm both days.

Membership of SOS Yorkes is free, and Ms Clothier said the only requirement was that members helped out when they could.

“We like to ensure that volunteers are as involved as little or as much as they would like,” she said.

“We are very flexible.”

The group meets via Zoom at 7pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

Anyone interested in joining SOS Yorkes, or is part of a community group that would like to work with them, email SOSYorkes@gmail.com.