Research protocol for a digital intervention to reduce stigma among males with a personal experience of suicide in the Australian farming community

Background: Australian farming communities have up to twice the suicide rate of the general population. Men, particularly, demonstrate debilitating self- and perceived-stigma associated with an experience of suicide. The Ripple Effect is aimed to reduce suicide stigma within the social, cultural, geographical and psychological contexts in which it occurs.

Methods: A mixed-method design with multi-level evaluation will be effected following the development and delivery of a personalised website experience (combining shared stories, education, personal goal setting and links to resources) to farming men, aged 30-64 years, with an experience of suicide. Pre- and post-surveys will be used to assess changes in self- and perceived-stigma and suicide literacy. Online feedback from participants and semi-structured interviews during follow-up will be thematically analysed.

Discussion: This project will provide information about increasingly accessible, innovative approaches to reducing the debilitating health and wellbeing effects of suicide stigma on a population of Australia’s farmers.

2016-11-24: The Ripple Effect: Researchers look into impacts of suicide on farming communities – ABC Rural

People from farming communities affected by suicide are being asked to complete an in-depth survey to help researchers better understand the impact suicide has on families left behind.

A website called The Ripple Effect, which was launched less than six months ago, aims to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide in farming communities.

More than 7,000 people have already visited the site, which specifically targets men from farming communities — a group that typically offers a hand to others, but will not ask for help in return.

Researcher Alison Kennedy said statistics on farmer suicide were hard to come by due to the lack of research.

Farmer Health eNews November 2016

A Regional Ripple Effect: Mental Health in Regional Australia – Sophie Lewis

Listen to Sophie Lewis interview with Dr Alison Kennedy. Click on the link below:

2016-11-1: Project having a ripple effect on rural suicides – Western District Farmer

2016-10-10: Rural medicine scholarships up for grabs – Farming Ahead

AUSTRALIA’S only post-graduate agricultural health and medicine course for professionals servicing farming communities is now open for scholarship opportunities, with applications closing October 31.

Entering its eighth year the scholarship program aims to create the next generation of agricultural and health leaders who understand cross-sector collaboration and can make a difference in rural communities. This year one scholarship is also earmarked for a person currently engaged in agriculture and/or a member of a farming family.

Hosted in Hamilton western Victoria from 27 February 2017, Deakin University’s intensive five day Agricultural Health and Medicine unit HMF701 is offered through the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH).

The course covers a broad range of agricultural health, safety and wellbeing issues ranging from mental illness and addiction through to emergency medicine, agrichemicals and agricultural trauma. The HMF701 unit has also been accredited for professional development points in areas of medicine, veterinary science, social work and nursing.

View full article: 2016-10-10: Rural medicine scholarships up for grabs – Farming Ahead

2016-10-11: Making a difference to farmers’ lives – The Star

2016-9-15: Tasmania Country Hour

Click here to listen to Tasmania Country Hour featuring Susan Brumby from National Centre for Farmer Health sharing results from Agfest Field Days in Tasmania.

Farmer Health eNews October 2016

2016-10-1: Directors undertake health checks at Expo – Devondale Murray Goulburn

2016-09-22: Rural health on agenda during Henty Machinery Field Days – The Border Mail

Health has been a common topic around the Henty Machinery Field Days this year – right up there with the weather, prices and a super spring.

Iconic Australian sporting figure David Foster was happy to talk about health, especially men’s health, from his post at an oil company stand.

Foster said Australian men, especially those over 40, needed to get regular health checks – an annual grease and oil change and tune-up for the body.

“When I do my wood chop I ask people over 40 years of age if they go for a regular checkup,” Foster said.

“My dad died at 61, he never went to the doctor. It is important for us guys to look after ourselves and we should talk about it.”

Mental Health communicator Mathew Johnstone was a speaker at The Stump at the Field Days on Wednesday, and was also the guest speaker at the official lunch.

Mr Johnstone said the stigma of mental health must be broken so it was as accepted as other illnesses, or a broken leg.

“It’s all about starting the conversation because a lot of people suffer unnecessarily and I think primarily in rural communities, who are not only isolated by the land but also by the culture,” he says.

“If you’re in trouble, never be afraid to stick your hand up and ask for help because the only shame is that you’re going to miss out on life.”

This is a positive sign for rural communities as NSW prepares for Mental Health Month in October.

Dairy Australia deputy chair Simone Jolliffe said after officially opening the Field Days on Tuesday many dairy farmers were under immense pressure and said it was clear neighbours were looking out for each other emotionally.

It is where programs such as “Look Over the Farm Gate” – supported by the Victorian Farmers Federation, Royal Flying Doctors Service Victoria, Country Fire Authority, Country Women’s Association, National Centre for Farmer Health and the Victorian Government – play such an important role.

Burrumbuttock Hay Runners organiser Brendan Farrell hears stories of emotional hardship on the land every day.

He helps by delivering food hampers and stockfeed but also taking a phone call at 11pm from someone who just needs to talk.

And starting that conversation about health can be the best medicine for our wellbeing in the long term.

2016-09-19 Gippsland Jersey milk hits local shelves – Supporting the Ripple Effect

Gippslanders have been urged to act as the unofficial sales team for new local farmer-owned and operated milk brand, Gippsland Jersey.

Gippsland Jersey was officially launched at the Warragul Farmers’ Market on Saturday, with customers queuing to buy a two litre bottle of the locally produced full cream milk.

The brainchild of fourth generation Jindivick dairy farmer Steve Ronalds and Warragul public relations specialist and daughter of a dairy farmer, Sallie Jones, Gippsland Jersey aims to provide an improved farm-gate price to farmers by bypassing major milk purchasers.

But according to Mr Ronalds, the brand now needs the support of the Gippsland community to succeed.

“The response so far has been overwhelming and we have been absolutely blown away by the support we have received. Now we need that support to translate into sales so we can bring other farmers on board to supply us and further support the Gippsland dairy industry,” Mr Ronalds said.

“We are a two-person team. We don’t have a sales department and we’re competing against the major milk brands and supermarket chains. What we need is for the Gippsland community to not only buy our milk, but to ask their local cafes, restaurants, general stores, and independent supermarkets to stock Gippsland Jersey as well.”

With the slogan, ‘Good for farmers, good for you’, Ms Jones said Gippsland Jersey answered the question many people had about which milk to buy in order to best support local farmers directly.

“The dairy crisis has hit Gippsland farmers hard and we want to do what we can to support them,” Ms Jones said.

“That is why we’ve teamed up with The Ripple Effect – a program to reduce stigma about suicide – by featuring it on the back of our labels.

“The Ripple Effect is funded by beyondblue and is about farmers helping farmers beat rural suicide.”

From Monday, Gippsland Jersey milk will be sold at IGA Neerim South, Bunyip IGA, IGA Plus Liquor Trafalgar, Foster IGA, Meeniyan IGA and Heyfield IGA.

Henry Street Foodworks in Traralgon will also stock Gippsland Jersey, and many other local businesses have also committed to using and selling the milk.

Anyone who would like to stock Gippsland Jersey should email orders@cheffields.com.au or phone 1300 854 299.