Cr Darryl Argall and Cr Joan Bennett voiced their concerns for residents at a council meeting last week, in the wake of the council's drought advisory committee meeting on July 9.

Cr Argall said Pauline McCracken, of West Wimmera Health Service, shared some disturbing facts at the drought meeting.

He said Ms McCracken told people at the meeting that fuel subsidy applications had increased and the drought assistance store at Nhill averaged 50 visitors a day.

The store is open three and a half days a week.

The store provides more than two pallets of food a week.

"It surprised me. I didn't think it was quite that bad," Cr Argall said.

Cr Argall said reports showed drug and alcohol use had risen.

He said fuel prices were an additional burden on residents.

"One of the big problems is that so many people are starting to really hurt," he said.

Cr Joan Bennett said despite West Wimmera Health Service providing a Centrelink office to residents, a trend showed residents travelled to Horsham for help.

"That's a long journey for people at Yanac or Rainbow. People are embarrassed that they need to seek help," she said.

"I think we need to change the attitude about that and not be so judgemental.

"Not one of us knows the full situation about anyone else."

Cr Mick Gawith said people had expressed concern to him about the importance of confidentiality when they sought help.

"I understand where Cr Bennett is coming from, but since the meeting I have been contacted by a number of people at the meeting, business people and farmers, about the ramifications if people know your business, so to speak," he said.