ifarmwell

ifarmwell offers a practical, farmer-centric approach to mental wellbeing, providing a free online toolkit designed to help farmers effectively cope with life’s challenges on the land. Its value lies in its proactive approach, equipping farmers with strategies to navigate difficult circumstances specific to their situation.

The ifarmwell website shares practical ways of coping with difficult circumstances, thoughts and feelings. Uniquely, the website was co-designed with farmers and rural communities ensuring its content is both relevant and accessible. The core value of ifarmwell is not in crisis intervention, but to provide Australian farmers with reliable, evidence-based tools to promote better mental health on a daily basis.

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National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH)

The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) adopts a multifaceted strategy to improve the health, safety, and wellbeing of Australian farmers, farm workers, their families, and communities. Its strength resides in its three-pronged approach: research, education, and service delivery. NCFH conducts applied research, develops educational materials for secondary students, and offers sustainable farm families’ health promotion programs.

One notable program is “Back On Track,” a peer-led approach to enhance mental health within farming communities. Another projects inlcude the AgriSafe™ clinics, where farmers can receive health checks and important health and safety information. The Centre also develops online resources like fact sheets, “Managing Stress on The Farm”, and the Farmer Health Assessment Tool (Farmer HAT). The NCFH stands as an invaluable resource for farmers, offering not only direct support but also working towards long-term change through research and education.

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Farm Transitions Australia

Farm Transitions Australia addresses a very specific, and often overlooked, stressor in the agricultural community: the challenges associated with exiting or transitioning away from traditional farming practices. This organization provides free support to struggling dairy and beef farmers seeking to transition to more sustainable plant-focused agriculture, new business ventures, or career changes. The importance of this lies in acknowledging that traditional farming, while deeply ingrained, may not always be sustainable, or mentally healthy. With a new survey of 150 Australian dairy farmers finding more than half of dairy farmers identify the impact of dairy farming as a primary challenge to their mental health.

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Healthdirect

Healthdirect offers a wealth of health-related information, with a dedicated section focusing on farmer health. Its value as a mental health resource lies in its accessibility and comprehensive coverage of the unique health challenges faced by farmers. The site acknowledges that farmers are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than other people due to factors like financial concerns, family problems, and difficulty finding and keeping good workers. Healthdirect provides actionable advice for farmers to stay healthy, including daily exercise, stretching, sun protection, and vaccinations.

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Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) provides a range of mental health resources and support options for producers, particularly those within the red meat and livestock industries.

MLA facilitates access to psychologists and psychiatrists through virtual practices such as PSYCH2U and Call to Mind, which bulk bill those in rural and remote areas.

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SafeWork NSW

SafeWork NSW highlights mental health as a crucial aspect of farm safety, recognising that farmers face a unique set of pressures that can lead to depression and other mental health issues. The SafeWork NSW website provides educational resources to assist farmers and their families understand triggers, signs, and what options are available

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Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

DAFF provides funding to local governments and community organizations to deliver free support services, including family support, one-to-one counselling, and community mental health and wellbeing events

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Beyond Blue (1300 224 636)

MensLine Australia (1800 903 919)

Lifeline (13 11 14)

Farmer Assistance Hotline (13 23 16)