Recruitment is now open for farming community members in three key dairy farming regions across Victoria to take part in a free trial of a peer-guided, model of mental health support.
The feasibility trial is part of the Back on Track program – led by the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) with funding from the Gardiner Foundation – which is aimed at farming community members who are experiencing low mood or depressive feelings. The evidence-based program was co-developed with the farming community over the past five years to ensure it caters to the needs of rural people.
The trial is now recruiting community members in Wellington, Towong and Corangamite Shires. It will explore the feasibility of a new support model that involves trained and mentored coaches providing accessible and culturally appropriate mental health services to farmers, farm workers and other people in agriculture-dependent communities, ensuring they receive the support they need during challenging times.
“When people in farming communities face multiple stressful events – whether that be extreme weather events, market or financial pressures, succession challenges or other business or personal pressures – mental wellbeing is often under threat,” NCFH Director Alison Kennedy said.
“We know that mental health support is not always accessible in farming communities and, when support is available, the providers don’t always have a good understanding of the challenges farmers face. This can put farmers off from accessing these important services.”
The 10-session Back on Track program involves weekly one-hour sessions between a coach and participant, which can be held in-person or online. The coaches have been trained in ‘behavioural activation’ – a practical mental health approach focusing on how positive behaviours and habits can positively affect mood. Coaches are living and working in farming communities themselves and understand the nature of farming, including the problems and stresses that come with working on the land.
“When people experience low mood, they generally stop doing the things that bring them enjoyment and satisfaction – the very things we need to be doing to feel good. Behavioural activation turns this around by helping people identify what activities bring them a sense of enjoyment or satisfaction, and scheduling this into their day,” Alison said.
“We’re now inviting farming community members who are experiencing low mood or depression to participate in this innovative, practical approach to help improve their mental health. This phase of the trial is only running for the next few months, so we urge interested people to get in touch to find out more.”
For more information about the Back on Track trial or to get involved, visit farmerhealth.org.au/back-on-track.
Back on Track is supported by an experienced team of researchers and clinicians from Deakin University, Western District Health Service, La Trobe University, the University of South Australia and Edith Cowen University.
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For more information, please contact:
Dr Alison Kennedy – Director, National Centre for Farmer Health
P: 03 5551 8533 | M: 0407 549 970 | E: alison.kennedy@wdhs.net
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