Free health checks for farmers

By Lachlan Ellis

A local care provider is offering health checks and an information session for farmers – and both are completely free.

mecwacare, which has had a presence in Ballan since 2021, is offering free health checks to farmers and over 50s, and will also hold a rural mental health talk with ‘The Unbreakable Farmer’ Warren Davies on 12 February next year.

mecwacare’s Advisor in Healthy Ageing, Louise Mayall, said farmers are some of the toughest people in the country, but urged them to seek support when needed.

“Farmer health has been identified as a local and Australia wide issue with the highest fatality rate of any industry in Australia,” Ms Mayall told the Moorabool News.

“The pressures of farming, together with its isolation, mean that farmers are more likely to experience depression and anxiety.”

Ms Mayall said farmers are good at helping others but not so good at seeking help for themselves, “compounded by access issues, living isolated on farms, and working long arduous hours to make ends meet.”

“We understand that there are problems that are well out of the farmers’ control, and issues that are constantly presenting themselves as huge challenges, and we would like to assist them in any way we can, especially when it comes to health concerns,” she said.

“So, we will also be conducting Farmer Assessments in the home, which will include a more extensive assessment. Prior to their appointment they will be encouraged to complete an occupational health history, lifestyle behaviours, and social and emotional wellbeing questionnaire to tailor their consultation to their requirements.”

Tests conducted during the free checks include a wide range of checks, including, but not limited to: blood glucose testing, blood cholesterol, blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation, basic hearing screening, basic vision testing, and urine testing, the latter of which can detect conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, UTI, stones, liver disease and haematuria (blood in urine).

Ms Mayall said this is a totally free service for the farmers.

“We encourage as many as possible to use this service to start the health journey to empower each and every person with understanding and knowledge regarding their own health,” she said.

Supported and funded by the Victorian Farmers Federation, the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and mecwacare itself. The Unbreakable Farmer talk at the Ballan Mechanics Institute next February is also aimed at the farming community, with guest speaker Warren Davies discussing mental health, resilience, and wellbeing.

For more information and to register for a health check or The Unbreakable Farmer event, contact Louise Mayall via email at [email protected], by phone on 0429 054 503, visit her in-person at the Healthy Ageing Hub at 164 Inglis Street, Ballan, or visit www.trybooking.com/CNUYX.