Young farmers come forward about mental health experiences
Young farmers have revealed the shocking wait they endured for mental health resources in the wake of last year’s devastating February floods.
Brisbane City
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Following last year’s devastating February floods, young generational farmers have come forward with their own experiences when it comes to seeking mental health resources.
According to dairy co-op Norco, referrals to telephone counselling for farmers have spiked 40 per cent as rural communities opt for Lifeline services over professional help due to wait times of up to three weeks.
Supporting data from a survey run from National Regional Check In report commissioned by Australian Counselling Association has found two in three farmers have to wait up to three weeks to speak to a professional.
Dairy worker Stephanie Van Der Westen, 28, from southwest of Ipswich said mental health services should be improved for farmers and found it easier to speak with Lifeline services after she had to wait for weeks on end to speak with a professional on a separate occasion.
“We need to get the word out that mental health services need to be improved,” Ms Van Der Westen said.
“It’s not spoken about enough in the farming sector because people just don’t come forward,” she said.
Ms Van Der Westen said she found it helpful to chat to other people going through the same problems through Lifeline’s Farmer to Farmer service rather than professionals.
“It was nice knowing that there were other people around going through the same thing,”
She said she walked away feeling no better than she had before on a separate occasion when she was finally able to meet with a professional.
“It’s easier to talk to someone you can connect with,” she said.
Ms Van der Westen said there was a heavy weight on her shoulders during the 2022 floods with large numbers of calves dying as it was a problem “they had never seen before.”
“You want to do your job to the best of your ability but sometimes it can’t happen,” she said.
She said it was important to note that older generational farmers have been through similar situations and can be good to speak with.
“There are other farmers out there, it’s okay to talk to other people,” she said.
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