"Mental health is a national problem and we're not unique in that, but with the drought it has hit our community hard," said Joshua Celi, the school's head teacher wellbeing.

"I'd say our kids are more vulnerable to [mental health problems] than their metro counterparts."

To combat its effect, the school has taken delivery of up to $14,000 in funding to pay the wage of a permanent student support officer.

"The student support officer's job is to look after the wellbeing of the students, supporting their needs, promoting self-esteem, building community and prospering education," said acting principal Kingsley Ireland.

Originating as community funding, the money was raised through the entrance costs of a recent exhibition at Coolamon's Up2Date gallery.

"The exhibition is run every year at the shop and the school is always heavily involved," said Mr Celi, who is himself a member of the Up2Date exhibition committee.

"We've always taken a cut of the profits, but for the last two years, 100 per cent of the profits has been donated to the school to fund our wellbeing officer."

An encouraging sign despite the drought, this year's total represents a $4000 increase on the previous year's donation.

"Normally there's over 300 artworks [showcased], it's always in the last week of August, and it attracts people not only from Wagga, but from Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland too," Mr Celi said.

The exhibition itself has been running for more years than the teachers at the school can remember and continues to be a highlight on the community's calendar.

"It's got a reputation as being a significant exhibition, and it's had that for a long time," Mr Ireland said.