Farmer Health eNews September 2019
Find out all the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health
- Run 4 Farmer Health
- Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week
- Out and about
- Wellness Wednesday
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A Pest to Mental Health? Exploring the Link between Exposure to Agrichemicals in Farmers and Mental Health
The current literature acknowledges that occupational exposures can adversely affect mental health. This review seeks to elucidate the current understanding of the effect of agrichemical exposure on mental health in the agricultural sector, including low-dose, chronic pesticide exposure. This scoping review adopted a snowballing and saturation approach. The review highlights inconsistencies in linking poor mental health and pesticide use. While some studies specifically showed that both high- and low-dose pesticide exposure were associated with poor mental health, consistent and rigorous research methods are lacking. The review also proposes terms to delineate exposure types described in the literature. The review outcomes direct efforts to protect the health, wellbeing and safety of farming communities across the globe.
Development and evaluation of e-mental health interventions to reduce stigmatization of suicidality – a study protocol
Worldwide, approximately 800,000 persons die by suicide every year; with rates of suicide attempts estimated to be much higher. Suicidal persons often suffer from a mental disorder but stigma, lack of available and suitable support, and insufficient information on mental health limit help seeking. The use of internet-based applications can help individuals inform themselves about mental disorders, assess the extent of their own concerns, find local treatment options, and prepare for contact with health care professionals. This project aims to develop and evaluate e-mental health interventions to improve knowledge about suicidality and to reduce stigmatization of those affected. In developing these interventions, a representative telephone survey was conducted to detect knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes in the general population.
Suicide and Accidental Death for Australia’s Farming Families: How Context Influences Individual Response
This article presents qualitative data to explore the experience of farming family members faced with accidental or suicide death and understand how this is experienced within the farming context.
The epidemiology of emergency presentations for falls across Western Victoria, Australia
In order to develop and implement prevention strategies for falls, comprehensive epidemiological data are required. Therefore, this study mapped emergency presentations for falls across the western region of Victoria, Australia, encompassing urban, regional and rural areas.
‘It could have been a lot worse’: the psychological effects of farm-related serious injury in Victoria’
The psychological response to injury is an important factor in recovery, and the development of psychological problems can result in a delay or inability to return to pre-injury function, including return to work. Farming is widely acknowledged as a stressful occupation, with non-injured farmers already at an increased risk of developing significant psychological problems, including high levels of stress and depression, and increased rates of suicide. This study aimed to investigate the psychological effects of serious farm-related injury on farmers, and how this influences their recovery.
Revision joint replacement surgeries of the hip and knee across geographic region and socioeconomic status in the western region of Victoria: a cross-sectional multilevel analysis of registry data
Residents of rural and regional areas, compared to those in urban regions, are more likely to experience geographical difficulties in accessing healthcare, particularly specialist services. We investigated associations between region of residence, socioeconomic status (SES) and utilisation of all-cause revision hip replacement or revision knee replacement surgeries.
Mapping Cancer incidence across Western Victoria: the association with age, accessibility, and socioeconomic status among men and women
Cancer is a leading burden of disease in Australia and worldwide, with incidence rates varying with age, sex and geographic location. As part of the Ageing, Chronic Disease and Injury study, we aimed to map the incidence rates of primary cancer diagnoses across western Victoria and investigate the association of age, accessibility/remoteness index of Australia (ARIA) and area-level socioeconomic status (SES) with cancer incidence.
2019-08-12: Witness vox pop video – Royal Commission Mental Health – Victoria
Hear from some of the witnesses from our regional and rural hearing day in Maryborough in the Central Goldfields Shire.
Farmer Health eNews August 2019
Find out all the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health
- Witness Statement for Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
- Farmer Health Week Dowerin
- Gear Up—Strategies to change behaviours & improve health & safety practices
- Wellness Wednesday
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2019-08-01: NCFH takes part in Royal Commission – Hamilton Spectator
Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System – Witness Statement of Dr Alison Kennedy
Following the Commissions preliminary meetings, written submissions and attendances at hearings on July 15th, the National Centre for Farmer Health’s Dr Alison Kennedy was invited to give evidence before the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health Systems in Maryborough. This was the only day dedicated to hearing from witnesses in rural Victoria. Dr Kennedy was one of only eight witnesses called and gave evidence about the work of the Centre and the current evidence on farmer mental health and suicide prevention.
Read Dr Alison Kennedy’s Witness Statement
Visit the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System website