218
ADDITIONAL READING
health for all those in the bush. If you or anyone you know needs help: • Lifeline on 13 11 14
with the three biggest factors affecting mental health being weather or natural disasters; finan- cial stress; and inflation and cost pressures. Weather and natural disasters were said to have caused financial burden, negative impact on ani- mals and loss of stock; and a difficult and costly rebuild and recovery process. As drought and other natural weather events progressively become more severe, as is predicted with future climate change predictions, we need to design more effective mental health interven- tions, as well as putting policies in place to deal with climate change. Many have emphasised the need for a systems approach to suicide prevention, which essentially means treating this issue as a complex whole while also accounting for the many constituent parts that often are interconnected and have interdependencies, as well as increased access to (and funding of) mental health support in rural communities. Current interventions in the bush range from telehealth and medical services; to pri- mary health networks services; to men’s sheds; to drought counselling. Breaking down deeply held stigmas around mental health issues, especially for men, is very important, and what also seems to be key is that farmers prefer talking to people whom they already have an existing relationship. Hence, there are calls for farmers to “check in on a mate” and create a “Farmers’ Army” of mental health advocates. In addition, given the important interrelated relationship between weather and natural dis- asters and financial hardship, there is a need to promote: alternative forms of income on- farm (including from natural capital); drought preparedness; improved financial accounting and literacy; appropriate regional economic and social development policies; and aiding farm exit where necessary. Greater research in understanding the problem and its solutions is also critical. The aim is to try to create numer- ous ways in trying to deal successfully with this wicked problem, to work towards better mental
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 • Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 • Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 • Headspace on 1800 650 890 • ReachOut at au.reachout.com • MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 • Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774 • Head to Health at headtohealth.gov.au
Sarah Wheeler is a Matthew Flinders Professor of Water Economics in the College of Business, Govern- ment and Law in Flinders University, South Australia. She has published a number of articles on farmer, children, and rural community mental health and suicide issues.
Durability and diversification - read how this family owned company in South Australia has innovated for over 6 decades at p 60
Powered by FlippingBook