Mrs Bishop - who has worked at Mount Isa School of the Air for 17 years - decided she needed to learn more about the issues she was exposed to.

She completed an Advanced Diploma in Family Counselling and has become a qualified counsellor after seeing the various problems facing families living in a mining town and on isolated properties.

A serious concern is the high rate of suicide  committed by youth in local high schools because of what she said was pressure to decide their future,.

Children with learning disabilities were also not being assured that there was more to life than good marks, Mrs Bishop said.

``Parents don't know how to encourage their children they're worthwhile human beings,'' Mrs Bishop said.

Mrs Bishop said she was also increasingly aware of high suicide rates among adults in the region who doubted their futures because of the drought.

Drought conditions were causing grazier families to doubt their future prospects, Mrs Bishop said.

Mrs Bishop said she held counselling services in person and by phone and Skype.

Counselling  Appointments can be made  on 0413 539 193 or debishop60@ gmail.com. You can also contact her via Skype.