2016-08-03: Website to reduce suicide stigma – The Border Watch

COMMUNITY AT HEART: Livestock SA’s southern region secretary Tom Dawkins is helping to reduce the stigma associated with suicide by encouraging farmers and other rural community members to participate in the Ripple Effect.

THE National Centre for Farmer Health, based at Hamilton in Victoria, has launched a website designed to identify the views of regional communities on suicide.

The Ripple Effect website enables farmers to anonymously register and view other farmers’ stories of suicide, share their own insights and find out what they can do to support the wellbeing of others and themselves.

A number of Ripple Effect “Community Champions” have been enlisted to promote the initiative.

Working in this capacity is Tom Dawkins from Naracoorte, who was approached to be a community champion because of his work as a journalist in raising rural suicide awareness.

“As a community, I think we are probably more willing than ever to have a conversation about suicide rather than ignoring it,” Mr Dawkins said.

“Increasingly, those who have been directly impacted by suicide are willing and able to share their experiences.

“That is why the Ripple Effect is an important and very timely way to help reduce the stigma associated with suicide, especially in rural communities like ours.”

Mr Dawkins, who is also promoting the Ripple Effect via his role as secretary of Livestock SA’s southern region, said no community was immune from the tragedy of suicide.

“Suicide is not just incredibly tragic, in most cases it is preventable,” he said.

“And the sad fact is if you are a farmer, or work in agriculture, you know or know of someone who has taken their life.

“If people realise there are solutions and understand life can go on, then we can help make an urgently needed change.”

Mr Dawkins has been confronted by the tragedy of suicide during his career in agricultural media and said it was no longer acceptable for journalists to ignore their increasingly important role helping to facilitate the community discussion about suicide.

“Too many families and friends of people who have killed themselves have had to survive the fallout and, as we see far too often, the ripple effect of such a loss can really tear at the fabric of families and local communities,” he said.

“I am pleased to support this project because rural Australia needs to turn the negative ripple of suicide and stigma into a tsunami of action and support.”

Alison Kennedy from The National Centre for Farmer Health said Ripple Effect’s aim was to build the first, accurate, national insight into what is in the minds of our farmers, what their stories and opinions are, and get that to the people who can help make a difference.

Ms Kennedy said if agricultural Australia was going to turn back the tide of suicide in farming communities it needs support and it will not get support unless it has accurate information.

“The cumulative stress of modern day farming, juggling debt and volatile commodity markets, climate change, family pressures, illness and injury, and dealing with it all in the isolation of the average working day, puts farmers at a higher risk of suicide,” Ms Kennedy said.

“Everyone knows about it, for years everyone has danced around it, always too concerned to talk openly about it.

“You can die of anything except your own hand because at that point no one really knows what to do next.”

Ms Kennedy said the lack of knowledge was a huge problem.

“We are really hoping we can tap into the experiences of our farmers, everywhere in the country, and hear about the things they rarely tell anyone else,” she said.

“But now you can tell us, anonymously, on the Ripple Effect website.

“And every bit of anonymous information will be processed and analysed so we can get it to everyone who can help.

“So please help us help you, your family and your community by registering and participating in the Ripple Effect.”

The Ripple Effect has been developed by NCFH, Deakin University, Victorian Farmers Federation, AgChatOZ, Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland, Sandpit and Western District Health Service as part of beyondblue’s STRIDE Project with donations from the Movember Foundation.

Visit www.therippleeffect.com.au for more details.

2016-08-01: Carbon filters essential for safety in machinery cabs – Farming ahead

By Jessica Strauss

A major risk, according to the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH), is misreading the chemical filters fitted to tractor cabins to protect against chemical sprays, organic dust/gas and pollutants.

National Centre for Farmer Health, AgriSafe clinician Rachel Verschuren, said indicator beads in filters were not fully understood by some farmers.

Verschuren said some filters have an indicator cell that show farmers coloured beads in filters.

Others do not and need to be changed after a set number of service hours or a given period of time.

It is important that farmers and agricultural workers know which type they are working with.

Verschuren said the beads were made from activated alumina which is potassium permanganate impregnated.

“This means they change colour from purple to brown to cream as the carbon in the filter becomes saturated with toxic matter,” she said.

“When the beads turn cream they are due to be either reconditioned or replaced.

“But what we are discovering many farmers do not realise is after turning cream, the beads then return to a brownish/black colour if the tractor is not used for a while.

“Which means farmers can incorrectly assume the filter is still active. Some farmers are [also] not aware that after a period of time they should change their filters.”

The NCFH AgriSafe clinic has previously run occupational agricultural health assessments in the run-up to seeding. The founding centre is based at Western District Health Service, Hamilton.

A key focus is to assess the personal protective equipment used by farmers.

Verschuren said AgriSafe clinic staff had been concerned by confusion amongst farmers about the safety of their tractors at this critical time.

She said it was also possible for the coloured beads to slightly stain the plastic inside the indicator cell, making it difficult to correctly view colour.

“This highlights manufacturer recommendations for daily cleaning and checking of the chemical filter when in use in particular in dusty times,” she said.

Filters should be changed, or at least recharged as follows:

• After 400 hours of use (which means a usage log book must be kept)

• According to the inspection due date on your filter

• If the indicator beads have turned cream

• If there is any concern regarding the performance of the filter

“People using chemical filters in tractors should also be aware if the filter is moisture contaminated it will become inactive, and must be replaced,” Verschuren said.

“Protective clothing, gloves and an appropriate face mask must also be worn if you are reconditioning the filter yourself.

“To extend the filter’s life it should be removed and stored in a sealed, airtight bag when not in use. The original dust filter should then be reinstalled.”

Farmer Health eNews August 2016

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2016-07-22: South Australian farmer overcomes own tragedy to help reduce stigma around suicide – ABC News

ABC Riverland By Stacey Lymbery and Dijana Damjanovic

A former South Australian farmer who tried to end his own life after accidentally shooting a friend is dedicating his time to helping people in the bush with their struggles.

Bill Stockman spent his early years riding tractors and helping his parents on a farm in Burra, 156km north of Adelaide.

Like many country kids, Mr Stockman was sent to boarding school, even though he always knew he was destined to work the land owned by his family.

At that stage, he was not aware of the impact one single accident would have on the rest of his life.

“I remember it like it was yesterday — February 3rd, 1985. It was a Sunday night and I had a friend over,” he said.

“I was 14 years old and we were shooting galahs on the front driveway.

“I turned with the gun and the gun went off and killed him (Mr Stockman’s friend). It was pretty tragic and very horrific what I saw.”

The lack of support and services during the crucial weeks after the accident would shape Mr Stockman’s life forever.

“Back then there wasn’t the help around like today. I had no counselling, and five days later I was back at boarding school,” he said.

Returning home to face his demons

It was not until he was 26 that Mr Stockman received a call from home to take over the family business, meaning he would have to face his demons again.

“I never told anyone that it was the hardest thing I ever had to do, because I was going back to the place where my accident happened,” he said.

“It happened right at the front of the house, so it was virtually a spot you had to walk past every day.

“I would never walk over the spot — I’d always just walk right around it.

“It got even harder … because the bullet [that killed my friend], went right through the kitchen window and lodged in the wall, so just looking at that every day…

“I was dealing with the memories all the time, but like I always did, I just pushed it down and never really spoke about it.”

Part of a wider problem

Alison Kennedy is a behavioural scientist with the National Centre for Farmer Health, whose research has looked at the impact of suicide and accidental death on farming communities in Australia.

One of her findings was that farmers were willing to offer support to others, but not so willing to ask for help themselves.

She said Mr Stockman was not alone.

View full article: 2016-07-22: South Australian farmer overcomes own tragedy to help reduce stigma around suicide – ABC News

2016-07-19: Tom Dawkins latest ambassador for farm suicide initiative, to tackle ‘the last taboo’ – The Naracoorte Herald

The National Centre for Farmer Health, based at Hamilton in Victoria, has launched a website designed to learn more about how regional communities are thinking about suicide.

Launched on June 30, the Ripple Effect website enables farmers to anonymously register and view other farmers’ stories of suicide, share their own insights and find out what they can do to support the wellbeing of others and themselves.

A number of Ripple Effect ‘Community Champions’ have been enlisted to promote the initiative. Working in this capacity is Tom Dawkins from Naracoorte, who was approached to be a Community Champion because of his work as a journalist in raising rural suicide awareness.

“As a community, I think we’re were probably more willing than ever to have a conversation about suicide rather than ignoring it,” Mr Dawkins said.

To view full article: 2016-7-19: Tom Dawkins latest ambassador for farm suicide initiative, to tackle ‘the last taboo’ – The Naracoorte Herald

2016-07-16: Farmers urged to change attitude to physical, mental health amid dairy crisis – ABC News

By Karen Percy
Farmers are starting to take a greater interest in looking after themselves and their health, amid concerns the dairy crisis is taking a huge toll on farming families.

The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) has been fielding additional calls at its Hamilton centre.

It has also been hosting special forums in farming districts in Victoria affected by the cut in dairy prices, as well as undertaking awareness programs at agricultural shows.

“We’ll be seeing a couple of hundred farmers over a couple of days and there’s a genuine interest in their health, wellbeing and safety,” NCFH director Professor Susan Brumby said.

“I don’t think we would have seen that 10 to 15 years ago.”

According to NCFH research, 60 per cent of farmers suffer from hearing loss and 40 per cent suffer “moderate to severe body pain, yet describe themselves as really well”, Ms Brumby said.

Since 2002, the NCFH has been working to change farmer attitudes.

It works with Deakin University and the Western District Health Service to educate farmers, as well as giving health professionals the tools they need to deal with rural-specific issues.

Together they also undertake research into the physical and mental health hazards farmers face, such as dealing with chemicals, potentially dangerous and loud equipment, injuries, poor diet and isolation.

All of the staff at the NCFH have a rural background, either having grown up on a farm or having experienced working in regional areas.

Nurse Tam Phillips leads the centre’s Agrisafe clinic, which takes a hands-on approach to monitoring farmers’ ongoing health and advising on safety and risk prevention.

Farmers get on board research project

The calloused hands of Peter McInnes sometimes prove tough going for Ms Phillips as she tries to prick the skin on his fingers to draw blood that will be used for a range of tests, including testing for chemical exposure.

“They are interested in knowing what agrichemicals are actually doing to their system and what effect they’re doing on their health,” she said.

“So it wasn’t hard to encourage them to come along and be part of the research project.

“But what we have noticed is as the research project has developed they’ve become really keen.”

To view full article: 2016-07-16: Farmers urged to change attitude to physical, mental health amid dairy crisis – ABC News 

To view article on ABC Australia wide: click here

2016-07-12: Giving farmers the tools to share their personal stories – Swinburne University

Aussie farmers affected by suicide came together to take part in a workshop that helped them creatively record and share their personal stories.

Swinburne University of Technology worked with the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) to facilitate a three-day course that helped 12 farmers create a digital story of their deep and profound experiences.

Farmer suicide rates are higher than those of the general Australian population. One way the NCFH is addressing this is through The Ripple Effect, a website addressing stigma amongst members of the farming community whose lives have been affected indirectly or directly by suicide.

Click to read full article: 2016-07-12: Giving farmers the tools to share their personal stories – Swinburne University

2016-07-12: Giving farmers the tools to share their stories – Beef Central

By Beef Central, 12 July 2016

Australian farmers affected by suicide recently came together to participate in a workshop that helped them to creatively record and share their personal stories.

To view full article: 2016-07-12: Giving farmers the tools to share their stories – Beef Central

2016-07-08: The Ripple Effect lets farmers share their lived experiences of suicide – Bendigo Advertiser

by Mark Kearney

The grief and stigma experienced by people whose loved ones have taken their own life can be isolating, especially for those living in rural communities.

But The Ripple Effect, an initiative from the National Centre for Farmer Health, is encouraging rural residents with lived experiences of suicide to share their stories online.

The website contains video messages and postcards from people bereaved by suicide as well as stories from those who have considered taking their own life.

Research fellow Dr Alison Kennedy said sharing survivor accounts was a powerful way to help those experiencing difficult times.

“We also know that people in farming communities are renowned for helping each other – that’s what keeps small communities alive,” Dr Kennedy said.

“By sharing a story of what has helped you, you can help others learn and take action to make positive changes for their health and wellbeing.”

Barham avocado farmer and Ripple Effect steering committee member Katrina Myers lost her father, Sandy, to suicide when she was 15 years old. Ms Myers said troubled successions plans for his property and an expectation farmers remain stoic contributed to the depression that eventually claimed her father’s life.

To view full article: 2016-07-08: The Ripple Effect lets farmers share their lived experiences of suicide – Bendigo Advertiser

2016-07-07: Stoicism has to go to save Australian lives – Bendigo Advertiser

by Mark Kearney

At a televised leaders’ debate in Queensland midway through this year’s federal election campaign, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asked his audience a question.

“How many of you have been touched by suicide?”

The response was startling.

Nearly all of the people in the crowd raised a hand to acknowledge they knew someone who had taken their own life.

It was a powerful display of how pervasive suicide is in our country and it was a pity few people had tuned in to see it.

But despite its all-too-common incidence, suicide continues to be a topic laden with stigma.

Some families, ashamed or guilt-stricken at their loved one’s death, close themselves off from the outside world.

Some friends, afraid of saying the wrong thing to families bereaved by suicide, choose to say nothing at all.

What makes this stigma so troubling is that an inability to talk about despair is a driving factor for many people to take their own life.

The “she’ll be right” mentality might be a cornerstone of the traditional Australian character, but it perpetuates a fear of vulnerability.

And there is nothing shameful about being vulnerable.

There is nothing weak about reaching out for help.

For a man to share his story does not undermine his masculinity.

The Ripple Effect is a welcome addition to the growing cannon of suicide prevention and support projects on offer in Australia.

It targets our country’s farming community, so often celebrated for their stoicism in the face of hardship, but too often succumbing to anxiety and depression.

The Ripple Effect also operates on the same premise that underscored Bill Shorten’s question; that one suicide sets in motion a series of events for an exponential number of family members, friends and acquaintances.

To view full article: 2016-07-07: Stoicism has to go to save Australian lives – Bendigo Advertiser

Farmer Health eNews July 2016

Find out all the latest from the National Centre for Farmer Health

2016-07-01: Farmer’s battle shows there’s light at the end of the tunnel – Dairy News Australia

Farmer's battle shows there's light at the end of the tunnel

Click to view full article: 2016-07-01: Farmer’s battle shows there’s light at the end of the tunnel – Dairy News Australia