Managing farm safety extends beyond the day-to-day of regular work to prioritise mental health and wellbeing conversations for farmers and their workforce.
This is the focus of National Farm Safety Week 2024 and one Grain Producers Australia strongly supports through its Farmer Mates Mental Health Initiative.
Farmsafe Australia’s ‘In Safe Hands’ campaign this year emphasises a holistic approach to farm safety according to Farmsafe Australia Chair Felicity Richards.
“Farm safety extends beyond seat belts and helmets; it encompasses the mental well-being of our farmers, their families, and the workforce,” she said.
“By normalising talking about what we are going through and reaching out when we are struggling, we provide a safe space for workers through the ups and downs of farm life.
“This is what it looks like to keep our workers in safe hands.”
GPA Chair Barry Large said recognising the role good mental health and wellbeing plays in farm safety showed just how far conversations had come in recent years.
“Talking about mental health and normalising how hard farming can be on people can be hard to do, but it is vital to a sustainable industry, workforce and wellbeing of our rural communities,” he said.
“We started our concerted effort in this area several years ago with Aussie cricketing legend Brad Hogg acting as our National Ambassador and we will keep connecting with rural communities to keep the conversation going.”
National Farm Safety Week 2024 coincides with the release of Farmsafe Australia’s 2024 Safer Farms Report, which highlights the ongoing need for mental health and wellbeing discussions and information sharing.
The report outlines the year 2023 recorded the most significant decrease in farm fatalities on record, but this still left 32 families and communities grieving the loss of someone important to them.
It emphasises creating a safety culture by making small habits a part of daily routines.
“Our communities collectively band together in tough times, but farmers have the tendency to knuckle down and work harder when things aren’t going well,” Mr Large said.
“This can be farm business related if the season isn’t going well or if there is a personal life event has knocked us around.
“Our farming communities already have the tight-knit supports in place to be there for each other and through programs like GPA’s Farmer Mates Mental Health Initiative, we can provide the knowledge and resources needed for strong foundations.”
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Team HERE
GPA’s Farmer Mates Mental Health initiative HERE
Lifeline’s 24/7 telephone crisis support service is available on 13 11 14
Mental Health and Wellbeing Team intake line 1300 17 55 94 - Head Office 1300 327 624
ENDS
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