Handbook launched to tackle farmer mental health

BEING in a profession dependent on climatic conditions, unstable markets, and many other elements that Mother Nature throws at them, farmers can be under a great deal of stress.

The Victorian Farmers Federation Making our Farms Safer Project (VFF MOFS) is aiming to tackle the scourge of mental health in rural communities by launching the new ‘Harvesting Change’ handbook for farmers.

VFF vice-president and chair of the Making our Farmers Safer committee Danyel Cucinotta said the free handbook was available to all Victorian farmers and offers practical mental health tips, information and advice that are critical to save lives.

“It’s a sobering reality that nearly half of Australian farmers say they have recently felt depressed, with almost two thirds of them experiencing anxiety.

“Almost half of Australian farmers have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and that is absolutely devastating, and this handbook is a great first step towards giving farming communities the support and resources they need,” Ms Cucinotta said.

Ms Cucinotta said the much-needed handbook fills a hole within the industry, and has been written by farmers and industry experts for farmers and our communities, while keeping front of mind the unique challenges that we face.

“This vital resource is available to all Victorian farmers and stands alone as the only fit-for-purpose mental health guidebook made specifically for farmers and rural Victorians.

“It has been meticulously created using the guidance of farmers and mental health professionals and is the result of months of planning and work to ensure it’s a vital resource for farmers.

“Mental health doesn’t just impact those suffering directly, it’s a huge issue for families and the community as a whole,” Ms Cucinotta said.

The VFF produced this handbook for those people in mind and acts as a tool to begin those important conversations.

This handbook has been created as part of the VFF Making Our Farms Safer project, a free farm safety education and support service for Victorian farmers, funded by the Victorian Government through Agriculture Victoria.

The Making Our Farms Safer project is on all social media platforms, and a free copy can be downloaded at makingourfarmssafer.org.au