Rural Aid: staying connected in the bush

Key points

• Rural Aid is encouraging farmers and rural communities to check in on one another during Mental Health Month, saying connection can help when pressures build. A Pulse of the Paddock survey found 94 per cent of farmers said community was important for accessing services, while 38 per cent identified barriers to getting help.
• Rural Aid mental health manager Myf Pitcher said access to counsellors who understand rural life matters. Dairy farmer Jason Cousins, from Singleton, said speaking openly about feelings had given him relief.
• Rural Aid's free mental health support is available to farmers and their families.