THE Dalton Uniting Church Hall was overflowing in the early hours of yesterday, with people craning their necks from the rear stairs to take part in a discussion on depression.

Despite the bitter temperature, Dalton residents turned out in droves yesterday to listen to speaker John Harper, a Stockinbingal farmer and family man.

Mr Harper had come to raise awareness of mental well being in times of stress and anxiety, emotions that the drought-ravaged Gunning/Dalton district know only too well.

After battling depression, and watching his mates do the same, in 2006 Mr Harper developed the self-help community program "Mates helping Mates".

For the full story, please see Friday's Goulburn Post, available from our front office in Auburn St, or at all leading newsagencies across the Goulburn area.