As part of Farm Safety Week, the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) Making our Farms Safer (MOFS) project is emphasizing the critical role of mental health in farm safety culture. VFF Vice-President Danyel Cucinotta highlighted alarming statistics showing that nearly half of Australia’s farmers have experienced depression in recent years, prompting a necessary focus on mental health.
Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Farming
Cucinotta pointed out the prevalent stigma surrounding mental health in farming communities, where individuals often avoid burdening their families and friends with their problems, leading to devastating consequences.
“There’s a real stigma around mental health, especially in farming communities, and people not wanting to burden their family or friends with their problems. The result can sadly be devastating,” she said.
Integrating Mental Health into Farm Safety
The VFF aims to shift farm safety culture by recognizing that mental health is a crucial component of overall farm safety. Cucinotta emphasized that National Farm Safety Week is an excellent opportunity to initiate this conversation, but the focus on mental health practices is a long-term commitment.
“National Farm Safety Week is a fantastic opportunity to start the conversation, but this is a long-term focus to help shift the dial towards improving mental health practices in our communities,” Cucinotta explained.
Development of the Mental Health Guidebook
The VFF MOFS Mental Health Guidebook Steering Committee, which recently convened for the first time, is working diligently to release a fit-for-purpose guidebook. This guidebook is being developed specifically for farmers, addressing the unique challenges they face in their daily lives.
“This guidebook will be a unique resource made specifically for farmers and tackling the unique issues that we face with life on the land,” Cucinotta noted.
Collaborative Effort for a Critical Resource
The steering committee comprises farmers and mental health professionals collaborating to create a valuable resource for farmer health. The guidebook aims to establish a trusted link between farmers and mental health providers, building on the VFF’s strong engagement with the farming community.
“The guidebook promises to be a critical tool for farmer health and hope it helps set the foundations for mental health to be a central pillar of farmer wellbeing,” Cucinotta said.
Launch and Long-Term Goals
Scheduled for release in November this year, the Mental Health Guidebook will be instrumental in improving mental health awareness and practices among farmers, contributing to a safer and healthier farming environment.
By addressing mental health as a key aspect of farm safety, the VFF aims to create a lasting impact on the well-being of farmers and their communities.
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