NTCA provide mental health workshop for pastoralists in Top End

Having seen too many of their mates struggling, Territory farmers are taking the mental health of their community into their own hands. Here’s how they hope to change - and save - lives.

The deaths of three members of the tight-knit Top End farming community has prompted immediate action for mental health awareness.

Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association project co-ordinator Annabelle Keith has felt the ripple effect from three suicides and said she wanted to see more help available for remote Territorians.

“I’ve actually delved into a bit of statistic work and we are seeing that NT suicide rates, in particular, remote and rural areas are much higher than other places in Australia,” she said.

“If anything, our rates are still continuing to get higher, whereas we’re seeing in other states, they’re getting lower.”

Ms Keith said the pain was shared throughout the community, and would continue to impact the industry.

Nigel Wyatt (RFDS), Dr Gregory Bull (program facilitator) Annabelle Keith (NTCA) and Isobel Heffernan (NTCA) with participants on Katherine Research Station. Picture: Supplied

“It’s been really tough seeing people that you are quite close with going through something so traumatic,” she said.

“I think it’s an incredibly sad thing when, you know, we’re such a tight knit community.

“And losing someone in that respect, is incredibly sad, but incredibly confusing as well.”

In her role at the NTCA, Ms Keith was able to take the lead on raising mental health awareness, so she joined forced with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and put on the free mental health first aid course.

“It’s just having that better knowledge and being able to identify things in an early stage rather than it going on — there’s been quite a few suicides within our industry this year and I suppose being able to intervene before it gets to that stage,” she said.

“We’re really hoping to see the partnership developing from the RFDS especially, where it’s just not about that physical trauma, it’s being able to identify mental health as something that’s just as important.”

A remote worker’s perspective

Felicity Fulcher works in Miniyeri, a community three and a half hours east of Katherine.

She understands how the isolation and nature of farming can get to people.

“Being isolated can be challenging in lots of ways,” she said.

“There’s so many uncontrollable things so being aware to look after yourself and all the people with you, it’s a really important role.”

She has experience in learning about the mental health space, but welcomed any additional knowledge.

“I did a mental health course 10 to 12 years ago but there’s so much more awareness since then,” she said.

“People are more likely to talk about it and after this all of us will be better equipped with mental health knowledge.”

Mental health knowledge soars to new heights

Royal Flying Doctor Service senior mental health clinician Nigel Wyatt said he too had seen rural mental health struggling.

“It’s a result of the isolation and it’s difficult to get support out there,” he said.

Mr Wyatt attended the session on behalf of the RFDS, who want to work with those in remote areas to promote mental wellbeing.

“Equipping families and co-workers with the skills and knowledge to identify and help others in mental distress is yet another important way the Flying Doctor can support those who live and work in the outback,” he said.

The NTCA hosted a mental health first aid course at the Katherine Research Station in October. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

“And knowing how you can help can be as simple as having a cup of tea or walking around their properties, sometimes being out in that environmental draws it out of them.”

Mr Wyatt said the benefit of regular training would be huge.

“Improving mental health knowledge and mental health literacy in rural and remote literacy does and will save lives,” he said.

The two-day session ran at Katherine Research Station on Thursday and Friday and welcomed managers and station workers from properties across the Top End.

Ms Keith said she was encouraged by the uptake and engagement with the sessions.

“We’re still at the early stages but we’re going to continue working with RFDS and Dr. Gregory Ball into creating further and easier access for people in our community, plus just more awareness and the little things that people can do everyday to look up their mental health and look after your mates,” she said.