LAST week, during Mental Health Week, NSW Farmers launched the Glove Box Guide for Mental Health in partnership with the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health and The Land.
The guide was released during the NSW Rural Mental Health Network meeting held at NSW Farmers' head office in Sydney. It brought together a range of agencies to discuss issues surrounding mental health and initiatives being rolled out.
NSW Farmers is a proud partner of many mental health initiatives including the Glove Box Guide and the R U OK? Foundation.
NSW Farmers has supported R U OK? since 2012 by sharing its message on billboards and print advertising, including the recent "R U OK, Mate?" billboards.
With the pressures currently facing farmers, mental health is vitally important and something that should be talked about openly.
In fact research shows that attitudinal barriers are the most significant barriers to people talking openly or seeking help.
With a range of agencies out there it's hard to know who to call, but talking to your GP and checking out the Glove Box Guide is a good place to start.
Other places to start include the Mental Health Access line on 1800 011 511.
Another great initiative is a free counselling services provided by the Counsellors and Psychotherapist Association of NSW which goes live next month and aims to link people in remote areas with counselling services in the city via skype or telephone.
NSW Farmers and partners have raised almost $2.6 million through the We're for the Bush Campaign which is still continuing.
These funds have been converted into IGA vouchers for families in need and are being distributed by the Salvation Army.
While this initiative is financially helpful, NSW Farmers encourages farmers in difficult situations to find somebody to talk to, be it a neighbour or be it with one of the many organisations out there providing assistance.
