Farmers for Climate Action (FCA) welcomes the joint statement from the National Farmers Federation (NFF) urging immediate action on mental health in rural communities. The statement highlights the devastating impact of poor mental health, including its effects on workplace safety, productivity, and the profitability of agricultural businesses.
‘We welcome the NFF bringing focus to rural mental health, however, excluding climate change from a mental health discussion about farming ignores the scientific reality,’ said FCA CEO Natalie Collard.
Peer-reviewed and published studies which show climate change is a key factor in poor farmer mental health include:
- Medical Journal of Australia: ‘Inequity Amplified: Climate Change, the Australian Farmer and Mental Health’.
- Australian Journal of Rural Health: ‘Rapid Change, climate adversity and the next Big Dry: Older Farmers Mental Health’.
- Murdoch University: ‘Climate change threats to family farmers’ sense of place and mental wellbeing: A case study from the Western Australian Wheatbelt’.
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: ‘Key risk factors affecting farmers’ mental health: A systematic review.’
- BMC Public Health: ‘The Health and Wellbeing of Australian Farmers: a longitudinal cohort study’.
Farmers for Climate Action research
‘Climate change and repeated droughts, floods and fires are hurting farmers’ mental health,’ Ms Collard said.
‘Our own farmer survey (on the net zero sector plan) backed up the countless peer-reviewed scientific studies, revealing 92 per cent of over 500 farmers surveyed experienced climate-related on-farm impacts in the past three years.
‘Climate change needs to be an integral part of the mental health conversation.’
Recent analysis by Griffith University regarding suicide rates in Australia’s farming community shows that farmers have a suicide rate 59 per cent higher than the general population, and this is linked to extreme weather and climate change.
Harden farmer Peter Holding said, ‘Climate change, increasing drought, flood, fire and insurance cost, is absolutely hurting farmers’ mental health.
‘The joint statement calls for an immediate investment of $50 million over five years, and FCA urges the government to also consider how these funds can be used to support farmers facing climate-related mental health challenges, including better access to mental health services tailored to rural and regional areas.
‘It’s time for governments to make the connection between mental health, climate change, and the long-term sustainability of Australian agriculture,’ said Mr Holding.
The joint statement on the mental health of Australian farmers is here.
Farmers for Climate Action encourages farmers, their families, and rural communities to access available mental health resources, including:
- ifarmwell – ifarmwell.com.au
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Farmer Health Support Hub – farmerhealth.org.au/support-hub
- Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
- Ruralaid – 1300 327 624
