A peer-guided mental health program for farmers
supporting farming communities to get Back on Track with their mental health
About Back On Track
Back On Track is an innovative, peer-guided mental health initiative designed to support farming communities. It focuses on improving mental health outcomes for farmers by providing practical, culturally appropriate support delivered by trusted community members.
How it worked
Back On Track offered a supportive, practical approach to improving farming participants’ low mood and depression through:
- Participation in a 10 x session program (approximately 1 x hour per week over 10 weeks).
- Guidance from peer coaches trained in behavioural activation—an evidence based method for boosting mood.
- A flexibly delivered program to reduce barriers to accessing support.
The program was co-designed with farming communities to ensure it met the needs of their community members and was delivered by trained Back On Track coaches who live and work in Victoria’s farming communities. The coaches brought both personal experience and specialised training in behavioural activation techniques to help participants develop positive habits and improve their mental health.
The Feasibility Trial
In 2024-2025, we conducted a Feasibility Trial to test the practicability and workability of the Back on Track program. This trial has since concluded and we are in the process of collecting and analysing results and findings.
Through conducting this trial we hope to be informed on the following feasibility outcomes of delivering the Back on Track:
- Recruitment, training and retention of coaches.
- Recruitment of farming community participants and their participation in the sessions.
- Whether the Behavioural Activation sessions stick to the scripted model.
During the trial, we recruited coaches with farming backgrounds and strong knowledge of the farming way of life. They participated in training, including completion of the Back on Track program as though they were a participant. This phase of the trial was conducted in dairy regions of the Victorian state – the South West, North East and Gippsland, reflecting our funding from the Gardiner Foundation.
Through the co-design of the Back On Track program and trial, we consulted with numerous stakeholders and farming community members, through community consultations and community reference groups.
Post-Trial Community Consultations
The Back on Track team will be visiting each of the target regions to feed back about the project, collect learnings and share the results. These consults (x2 in each region) will be approximately 90 minutes long with catering supplied.
Nort East Consultations
Date: Tuesday 3 March
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: Tallangatta Integrated Community Centre
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: Victoria Hotel, Tallangatta
Gippsland Consultations
Date: Wednesday 4 March
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: Tinamba Hotel
Date: Thursday 5 March
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Maffra Hall
South West Consultations
Date: Wednesday 11 March
Time: 11am-1pm
Location:Killara Centre, Camperdown
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: Hampden Hotel, Camperdown
We look forward to visiting these trial regions to feed back the results of the trial, and to ask for feedback on what went well and ways to improve. We have invited our Back on Track Coaches to attend and share some insight into their experiences in the role. To express your interest in attending, please register below:
Funding and research
The Back On Track feasibility trail was funded by the Gardiner Foundation, led by the National Centre for Farmer Health and supported by an experienced team of researchers and clinicians from Deakin University, Western District Health Service, La Trobe University, Edith Cowan University and the University of South Australia.
Important information
For further information about the Back On Track project, please contact:
Approved by St Vincents HREC Ref: 070/24
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