Rural communities are experiencing significant social and intergenerational change, which also affects the agricultural Industry.
There is a growing trend for young farmers to move off-farm for work or study, and return at a later aged about 27 years.
Transitioning back to the land or rural community can be a challenge. These challenges include not only changing physical environment, but also changes in social networks, employment opportunities and roles within the family.
The agricultural industry has an optimistic outlook for the next generation of Australians.
However, there is an obvious need to make sure those transitioning into the agricultural industry or back to the land remain empowered, resilient, supported and socially connected.
Glove Box Guide to Mental Health
On October 6, The Land has partnered with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) to launch the fifth edition of the Glove Box Guide to Mental Health.
The theme for this edition is #serviceyourmind and includes strategies to help stay mentally healthy and build resilience during challenging times.
It also highlights the importance of staying socially connected in communities.
To coincide with this launch, the online forum on Friday, October 7, at noon, will focus on how to stay mentally healthy when transitioning back to the land or into a new community.
Our expert panel is ready to have an engaging discussion on:
- Personal experiences of transitioning back to the land
- Different examples of communities that have had a successful approach to welcoming and supporting new members
- Ideas on how to improve and continue social connectivity, and support people transitioning back to the land.
The panel will be ready to answer your questions on:
- How to stay mentally healthy and strategies to enhance resilience
- How to build supportive social networks
- Driving innovation and opportunities in rural and regional communities.
Meet The Friday Forum Panel
Victoria Smyth has extensive experience in supporting people to #serviceyourmind, having managed a “social prescription” program in the UK linking people with common mental health problems to social activities to improve their mental health. She came to Australia to work with the Mental Health Commission of NSW, and the National Mental Health Commission.
Victoria has managed a mental health promotion campaign in Orange to help people stay mentally healthy, and is co-ordinating the 2016 Glove Box Guide to Mental Health for the Centre for Remote and Rural Mental Health (CRRMH).
Dianna Somerville believes regional communities can drive innovation and create opportunities outside metropolitan areas. She established a service (RGTC) in 2014 to help regional businesses, schools, clubs and not-for-profit organisations write competitive and successful grant, tender and awards applications.
Dianna is also the founder of Regional Pitchfest, Agrihack and Bush Angels. She is a member of Wagga Wagga Women in Business Organisation, the Wagga and NSW Business Chambers, and has been appointed a director on the Country Hope Board.
Camilla Kenny is a RAMHP co-ordinator covering most of the northern part of Western NSW Local Health District.
She has worked as a School-Link and a Health Promotion and Prevention Officer. Camilla grew up on a farm at Mendooran and lives on a farm at Collie.
Pip Job is the 2014 National and NSW/Act RIRDC Rural Woman of the Year and is the former chief executive of the Little River Landcare Group in the Central West.
She leads a new initiative within the NSW DPI Building Resilience Team, to create resources that support farming families to deal with challenges and change. She has felt the impacts of drought as a grazier, businesswoman and mother.
Pip’s RIRDC bursary project, Positive Farming Footprints, explored farm family resilience and what social barriers block their progress. She has been inducted into the Australian Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame.
