A major report paints a sobering picture of mental health in farming communities. This suicide-prevention project is helping create a brighter future for farmers.

Summary

While primary producers often project a proud and stoic face to their community, life behind the farm gate is often a very different reality. Compared to their city cousins, primary producers and those living in rural farming communities face a higher risk of suicide. The recent (2023) National Farmer Wellbeing Report, commissioned by Norco in partnership with the National Farmers' Federation, paints a sobering picture. The report found that 45% of Australian farmers surveyed have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, while 30% have attempted self-harm or suicide.

While these statistics might cause alarm outside the agricultural sector (and they should), to farmers and graziers accustomed to the impacts and burdens of natural disasters, financial stress and rising costs, the figure is hardly surprising. The report also found that underpinning these pressures were feelings of loneliness and isolation, exacerbated by limited access to mental health services. Sadly, and much to our shame as a nation, was that more than three quarters (76%) of farmers surveyed believe that their role is undervalued by the Australian public.

A new project co-designed with farmers offering hope.

One Australian who has long been active in researching farmer wellbeing and reducing suicide risk is behavioural scientist Dr Alison Kennedy. In 2020, Dr Kennedy launched the first phase of her Mental Health for Agriculture (MH4Ag) project. Kennedy and project colleagues, Sonya Duke and Joanna Macdonald, worked with members of the farming community from the Great South Coast Region of Victory to co-design, test and finesse the project, Steering Straight: My Plan to Stay on Track. The project was led by the National Centre for Farmer Health in partnership with the Western District Health Service, Deakin Rural Health, the University of South Australia, La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne.

The aim of the project was to design a prevention-focused health resource, specifically tailored for the farming community that could be delivered by non-clinical workers.

The aim of the project was to design a prevention-focused health resource, specifically tailored for the farming community that could be delivered by non-clinical workers. The resource was designed to be brief, goal-orientated, practical, contain relatable farming examples, avoid stigmatised language, be accepted by peers and be available in a range of formats. Underpinning the project was the concept of peer-led, Behavioural Activation (BA), which compares favourably with other treatments for anxiety and depression (Duke et al. 2023).

Central to the project is a planning booklet (downloadable and printable), which takes participants between 15 and 30 minutes to personalise. The plan is designed to help farmers look beyond the endless cycle of tasks, encourage reflection, plan for inevitable challenges, and prepare for action - all with a focus on wellbeing. The questionnaire style document encourages farmers to identify the kinds of activities that keep them feeling positive in tough times, break down future goals into manageable steps, and points them in the direction of a range of support services.

The plan is designed to help farmers look beyond the endless cycle of tasks, encourage reflection, plan for inevitable challenges, and prepare for action - all with a focus on wellbeing.

Overall, Steering Straight received positive feedback. Ninety-four per cent of the 24 pilot testers responded that they would recommend Steering Straight to others. Fifty-three per cent of respondents found that Steering Straight helped them think about their lives in a different way. Respondents also reported implementing other positive changes in their lives as a consequence of completing Steering Straight. These ranged from prioritising physical and mental health, to increasing social connection and pleasurable activities, and changing work practices.

If you're a farmer interested in creating a personalised action plan to help you steer straight when the track gets rough, head over to the National Centre for Farmer Health website where this practical resource is now freely available to primary producers all over Australia.

References
Duke S, Macdonald J and Kennedy AJ (2023) 'Steering Straight: Adapting suicide risk safety planning as a prevention‐focused self‐management resource for the Australian farming community', Australian Journal of Rural Healthajr.12968, doi:10.1111/ajr.12968.

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