What’s happening?
Zoetis is celebrating ten years of partnership with Beyond Blue, marking a $1 million donation milestone since 2016 to support mental health in rural and regional Australia. The achievement includes a new $100,000 donation that will help extend Beyond Blue’s support to people living outside major cities.
Zoetis contributes $5 from every sale of its livestock, pig, poultry, and companion animal vaccines and parasiticide products, up to $100,000 each year.
Fred Schwenke, Zoetis Business Unit Director – Livestock, said the milestone reinforces the company’s long-term dedication to regional communities. “Zoetis works closely with rural Australia through interactions with the country’s farming community, agricultural stores, veterinarians and their families. We are proud to once again be supporting Beyond Blue and the important work they do,” he said.
Mr Schwenke added, “It’s about making sure that no one in rural Australia feels alone in their struggle with mental health, and that help is readily available. We want to encourage early intervention and remind people that reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Why it matters
The ten-year partnership between Zoetis and Beyond Blue highlights a strong, ongoing effort to support rural mental health. “Improving mental health outcomes requires more than just awareness. It needs consistent, meaningful action and unwavering support,” said Mr Schwenke. “That’s why, ten years on, Zoetis remains firmly committed to its partnership with Beyond Blue.”
The need is pressing: nearly half of Australian farmers report experiencing depression, 64 per cent have dealt with anxiety, and 45 per cent have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide. One farmer dies by suicide every ten days—twice the rate of the general population.
Over half of farmers say they remain silent about their mental health because of discomfort or fear of burdening others.
Local impact
In Central Queensland communities such as Rockhampton and the surrounding agricultural regions, mental health support remains vital for producers, families, and veterinarians. The Zoetis–Beyond Blue partnership continues to help ensure that no one in regional Queensland faces these challenges alone.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact the Beyond Blue Support Service for free and confidential counselling, advice, and referrals at 1300 22 46 36 or visit beyondblue.org.au.
By the Numbers
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Since 2016, Zoetis has donated $1 million to Beyond Blue, marking a decade of action to improve mental health outcomes in rural and agricultural regions.
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Through its ongoing initiative, $5 from each Zoetis product sale goes toward the partnership, helping reach an annual target of $100,000 in donations.
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The collaboration has directly supported 17,000 rural Australians through Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service, offering free and confidential mental health advice.
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Research shows that 75% of people who contacted Beyond Blue felt less distressed after speaking with a counsellor, proving the impact of accessible care.
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Meanwhile, 82% of those supported said they felt genuinely heard and understood, reinforcing the importance of human connection in regional mental health recovery.
Zoom in
Beyond Blue’s Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Check revealed that people are delaying seeking help, often until they are in severe distress. Key barriers include long waitlists, affordability, shame, stigma, and beliefs that their issues aren’t serious enough.
Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman AO said the Zoetis partnership funds real change. “When someone in a remote community picks up the phone or jumps online to talk to Beyond Blue, it’s often their first step towards feeling better,” she said. “Zoetis’ decade-long commitment helps make that possible, funding real conversations that save lives and change outcomes.”
Zoom out
Beyond Blue spokesperson and Corowa farmer Derek Schoen said the pressures on farmers remain immense. “Life on the land can be incredibly rewarding, but also deeply demanding,” he said. “People in rural and regional areas face unique pressures such as droughts, floods, isolation, financial stress, long work hours, and limited access to healthcare and mental health support.”
“The emotional toll can be immense, with farmers often putting the wellbeing of their families, livestock, and communities ahead of their own. Whether it’s watching your crops go under in a flood or facing another dry season, the emotional toll is enormous. That’s why partnerships like this matter—they remind us that support is there, and that asking for help is a sign of strength.”
The partnership between Zoetis and Beyond Blue has provided free, confidential counselling and mental health advice for over 17,000 people across regional Australia. The milestone was celebrated by Beyond Blue Chair Linda Dessau AC CVO, CEO Georgie Harman AO, and Zoetis representatives Fred Schwenke, Lauren Rowston, and Mark Willis.
What to look for next
As Zoetis celebrates ten years of partnership with Beyond Blue, its focus remains on expanding access to mental health support in regional areas. With annual contributions set to continue, the next phase of this collaboration aims to extend Beyond Blue’s services even further across rural Queensland—providing help and hope where it’s needed most.
