Effects of drought showing up in country children, says Port Augusta paediatrician Nigel Stewart

AN increasing number of rural children are showing signs of anxiety and stress, as the effects of the drought flow through to the younger generation.

• Murray-Darling Basin rainfall deficiencies third lowest on record

A growing number of rural children are showing signs of anxiety and stress as the effects of the drought flow through to the younger generation.

With many people in the bush doing it tough, from farmers to business owners, the wellbeing of the kids is often overlooked.

Port Augusta paediatrician Nigel Stewart, who sees patients from as far as Ceduna and Roxby Downs, said there were obvious effects on children from the long dry in many of the state’s regional centres.

“I see children from drought-affected regions and there’s absolutely no doubt it’s having an effect,” he said.

“About 50 per cent of my work involves dealing with family issues and the drought feeds into that.

“There’s no doubt that drought, especially as it goes on for longer and becomes more severe ... it impacts the rural health of mothers and fathers in the community and that flows through to the children.

A growing number of rural children are showing signs of anxiety and stress as the effects of the drought flow through to the younger generation.

“What you might see with children is changes in behaviour such as becoming withdrawn, angry or upset, and it’s often a response to the stress that’s happening within their family.”

Dr Stewart said he was seeing an increasing number of youngsters coming in anxious and stressed out.

“We know when adults are stressed, they’re not at their best to parent,” he said.

“Stress can affect any age but it is most obvious in school age children.

“I think the key is making sure parents are looking after themselves.

“Keeping up the communication between parents and children is key, because sometimes kids can think they’re at fault for the stresses in the home.

“It’s really important that specialists like myself and GPs have access to resources, as well as rural and remote nurses, even groups like the School of the Air. We need to have that knowledge of how stress affects children.”

One of the organisations providing support to regional health workers is Emerging Minds.

Director Brad Morgan said his organisation offered support to health workers working in regional communities.

“We know families in rural areas are very resourceful but pressures like drought can lead them to withdraw from the community. We know how important it is to keep up activities like catching up with friends,” he said.

“Keeping really open communication with children is also important, particularly with younger ones who don’t necessarily have a sense of what’s changing within their family.

“It’s also important to seek help early.”