Farm Safety Week a chance to put spotlight on reaching out for help: Rural Aid

Farmers are being urged to reach out for help during Farm Safety Week, following a devastatingly long and dry summer which put further strain on the industry in the South West.

Not-for-profit Rural Aid is calling on farmers this week to register with the charity to get better access to mental health support.

Chief executive John Warlters said the week was an important occasion to improve visibility of support available for farmer’s wellbeing.

“This year’s Farm Safety Week theme is ‘in safe hands’,” he said.

“Rural Aid’s mission is to stand with farmers when they need it most.

“We’re encouraging farmers to register with Rural Aid, so that our organisation and its passionate donors can support farmers’ wellbeing and safety with a hand-up.”

The message comes to an industry which has long shied away from the issue of mental health.

A national study on farmers’ mental health in 2023 found an alarming 30 per cent of producers had attempted self-harm or suicide, while 45 per cent had thoughts of self-harm.

Rural Aid provides support services and counselling to those in need, alongside providing financial assistance for those impacted by natural disasters.

Mental health and wellbeing manager Myf Pitcher said it was important for primary producers to acknowledge their mental health.

“We want farmers to treat themselves as their most precious business asset and be open to receiving help with their busy workload,” she said.

“One conversation at the right time with the right person can change everything.”

For more information, visit ruralaid.org.au

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