A peer-guided mental health program for farmers
Now recruiting to help farming communities get Back on Track with their mental health!
About Back on Track
The Back On Track program is an innovative, peer-guided mental health initiative designed to support farming communities. Funded by the Gardiner Foundation and developed by the National Centre for Farmer Health, this program focuses on improving mental health outcomes for farmers by providing practical, culturally appropriate support delivered by trained Coaches living and working in farming communities themselves, that understand the nature of farming including the problems and stresses associated.
How it works
The Back On Track program offers a supportive, hands-on approach to mental health through:
- A 10 x session program consisting of weekly 1 x hour sessions.
- Guidance from local coaches trained in behavioural activation—a proven method for boosting mood through positive habits.
- Held in-person or online, reducing barriers to accessing support.
The program is tailored to farmers, designed by rural communities for rural communities, ensuring it meets the unique needs of those working on the land.
Who can join?
The program is open to members of the farming community:
- aged 15+
- from Towong, Gippsland, and Corangamite Shires
- who are experiencing low mood, or depression.
These areas were selected to reflect the Gardiner Foundation’s focus on dairy farming communities, but all eligible participants in and around these regions are welcome.
Once you complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form, a member of our project team will contact you.
If you know someone who might benefit from this program, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them to help spread the support.
The Coaches
Our Back On Track program is supported by trained coaches from farming communities across Towong, Gippsland, and Corangamite Shires.
These coaches are not only local community members—they have also completed the Back On Track program as part of their training. This means they bring both personal experience and formal training in behavioural activation techniques to help participants develop positive habits and improve their mental health.
Funding and research
The Back On Track program is funded by the Gardiner Foundation, and delivered 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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