The Victorian Farmers Federation Making our Farms Safer Project (VFF MOFS)
is aiming to tackle the scourge of mental health in rural communities by
launching the new ‘Harvesting Change’ handbook for farmers.
VFF Vice-President and Chair of the Making our Farmers Safer Committee
Danyel Cucinotta said the free handbook is available to all Victorian farmers and
offers practical mental health tips, information and advice that are critical to save
lives.
“It’s a sobering reality that nearly half of Australian farmers say they have
recently felt depressed, with almost two thirds of them experiencing anxiety.”
“Almost half of Australian farmers have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
That is absolutely devastating and this handbook is a great first step towards
giving farming communities the support and resources they need,” Ms Cucinotta
said.
Ms Cucinotta said the much-needed handbook fills a hole within the industry. It
has been written by farmers and industry experts for farmers and our
communities, while keeping front of mind the unique challenges that we face.
“This vital resource is available to all Victorian farmers and stands alone as the
only fit-for-purpose mental health guidebook made specifically for farmers and
rural Victorians.”
“It has been meticulously created using the guidance of farmers and mental
health professionals and is the result of months of planning and work to ensure
it’s a vital resource for farmers.”
“Mental health doesn’t just impact those suffering directly. It’s a huge issue for
families and the community as a whole. This handbook is made for those people
in mind and acts as a tool to begin those important conversations.”
This handbook has been created as part of the VFF Making Our Farms Safer
project, a free farm safety education and support service for Victorian farmers,
funded by the Victorian Government through Agriculture Victoria.
You can find the Making Our Farms Safer project on all social media platforms
and download a free copy of the handbook at www.makingourfarmssafer.org.au