NSW Farmers' Mental Health Network
The Problem
Severe and ongoing uncontrollable climatic conditions have highlighted the ever increasing stress and mental health issues across rural and remote NSW. In May 2005 the NSW Farmers’ Association Drought Summit held in Parkes exposed the significant and widespread emotional impacts of drought, with keynote speaker Jeff Kennett (Chairman, beyondblue) urging the 2000 farmers in attendance to speak openly about the stresses of drought. The willingness of farmers to stand up in this very public form and discuss their fears and anxieties about the personal, family and business impacts of drought marked somewhat of a turning point for rural communities in terms of acknowledging and seeking to address the growing problem of mental illness.
Outside of droughts and floods, farmers stress levels are rising, due to the changing nature of farming (eg globalisation, restructuring, the ageing farmer population) and the prevalence of increasingly restrictive legislation affecting day-to-day farming activities (particularly native vegetation and Occupational Health and Safety). Emotional stress is impacting not only farmers, but also their families, communities and even the support and mental health services themselves. Whilst the climatic events may have a limited life span, their ramifications such as depression, financial hardship, and loss will continue for many years.
Deaths from suicide of male farmers and farm workers are approximately double that of the Australian male population. There are also a significantly higher number of accidents (eg death by firearm, car accidents) occurring in the bush, particularly in remote areas. Despite the disproportionately high levels of depression and other mental illnesses in rural and remote areas, communities in these areas continue to have poorer access to mental health support a problem that must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Finding Solutions
As part of a wider response to this worrying problem, NSW Farmers’ Association brought together a group of key stakeholders in the area of rural mental health, to discuss how best to work together to address rural and remote mental health issues. This forum, held in June 2005, resulted in the creation of a formal Rural Mental Health Network and a NSW Farmers Blueprint for Maintaining the Mental Health and Wellbeing of the People on NSW Farms (please click here for a pdf/printable version).
The Blueprint is a simplified summary of key issues that need to be addressed and the major actions that will be taken to be effective in addressing the Networks identified rural mental health priorities. Each Network participant plays a different but connected role in addressing these priorities.
The Network has grown considerably since its inception, with more than 20 organisations now represented, including charitable organisations, support and research organisations, Government Agencies, and other associations.
Click here for a full list of network participants...
The Network meets quarterly to discuss collaborative actions as outlined in the Blueprint, as well as a range of policy issues associated with rural mental health, including lobbying for improved resources for rural mental health in NSW.
Network meetings also provide an opportunity to get a snapshot of regional conditions from the perspective of farmers, rural communities, support workers, small business etc.
For an overview on recent Network meetings please see the update newsletters below.
For a comprehensive mental health support contact list including organisations such as Lifeline and beyondblue as well as a range of rural chaplaincy services and counseling services please click here...
Update Newsletters
Links and Resources
- Rural Assistance Guide
- Current Mental Health First Aid Courses
- Looking after yourself after a disaster
Further Information
If you wish to join the NSW Farmers Rural Mental Health Network or require further information, please contact NSW Farmers Association on 1300 794 000, (02) 8251 1700 or emailus@nswfarmers.org.au
