TAKE a load off during next week’s Australian National Field Days at Orange during a special forum on mental health.
A joint initiative of The Land and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP), the forum will give visitors a chance to put their questions about mental health issues to a panel of experts in the field.
Kicking off at 1.30pm on Friday, October 25, the one-hour forum will discuss how to start a conversation with friends and family members you may be worried about and how to spot the warning signs.
“With October being Mental Health Month and so many farmers planning a visit to the field days, we thought it was an ideal opportunity to shine the spotlight on mental health,” said The Land’s general manager John Dwyer.
“With the help of RAMHP and NSW Farmers, we’ve been able to assemble a great panel to discuss one of the biggest issues in rural Australia.”
The forum will provide an opportunity for farmers to ask the panel questions about issues in this month’s Glove Box Guide to Mental Health published in last week's The Land said RAMHP’s co-ordinator Jenn Caine.
“It’s a great chance to open up the conversation on mental health and will provide people with practical information and tips they can use everyday,” she said.
Panel member John Ward – a NSW Farmers’ member at Coleambally and ambassador for RUOK? – said the forum was a great opportunity for people to have their questions about mental health issues answered and to drive home the need to get more people talking about it.
“We need to get the message out there that there is nothing wrong with having depression.
“What’s key is accepting it and knowing you can get help.”
Visitors can submit questions anonymously on the day or via email beforehand, or ask them of the panel during the forum.
They can also pick up a free copy of The Land and RAMHP’s Glove Box Guide to Mental Health which includes practical information about mental health, tips for initiating difficult conversations about mental health and contacts for key support services.
To submit a question for the panel ahead of time, email editor.theland@fairfaxmedia.com.au or leave it as a comment below
