DROUGHT is not isolated to the northern parts of the country. In fact, the Hunter region has been severely affected of late, and other parts of NSW continue to dry off at a rapid rate.
It’s time to think about what we can do to keep the members of our community mentally healthy during this stressful period.
During Friday’s Friday Forum at 12pm, The Land and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) are partnering to bring together the Rural Resilience Workers, RAMHP, NSW Farmers and a researcher to answer your questions, including.
The panel will discuss the warning signs someone isn’t coping; how to prepare mentally for drought; signs of depression; practical ways to stay mentally healthy, and getting farmers to talk openly about mental health.
Join the forum on Friday, March 16 here:
Panellists include Emma Austin, a PhD Researcher at the Centre for Water, Climate and Land (CWCL) at the University of Newcastle. Emma’s research quantifies the critical relationships between drought, wellbeing and adaptive capacity in rural communities to inform public policy and climate change adaptation.
Sonia O'Keefe has a family farm east of Walcha. She was on the executive council of NSW Farmers in 2012 and on the rural affairs committee since 2014, and elected its chairwoman in 2015.
Amanda Glasson, Coonamble, grew up on a farm, and from 2000 worked at the local council in economic development and then as the saleyards and facilities manager. She now works for the Department of Primary Industries under the Rural Resilience Program.
- Note: The forum is not a crisis service. If you need assistance contact Lifeline on 131 114 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
