Skip to main content

The importance of your mental health

16 August 2021 | 3 min read
By Warren Davies (The Unbreakable Farmer)

Farming can be a challenging business, with mounting business and seasonal pressures. Focusing on how you are travelling as person and the state of your mental health can at times be neglected.

I understand this all too well, this was me. I overlooked the steady decline in my mental health until it was almost too late.

The harsh reality of being a dairy farmer became all too evident when the constant battle of economic pressures, flood and drought all had an impact on my young family, but also on my mental health. This culminated in a decision to leave our farm.

Generally, people living in rural communities are known for being resilient. They face stressors caused by a range of factors such as isolation, weather, the nature of their work and financial issues which is why mental illness in rural communities is of major concern.

While the stigma associated with mental health problems is reducing in Australia, in rural communities the stigma of “too tough to speak up” about emotional and mental health is rife and the suicide rates are 40% higher than those in metropolitan areas.

Mental illness is made harder in rural communities with reduced access to local services, and professionals. Additionally, people generally have feelings of embarrassment or fear to ask for help so they manage their problems by themselves.

However, recognizing when help and support is needed, either for yourself or for someone else, could save a life.

I learnt four vital lessons from my journey:

  1. Identify your support network - the people who you love and trust and can call on for support when you are struggling to cope or need a chat.
  2. Communication is key. Communicating how you are feeling is hard and at times hardest with those who are closest to you, but having these tough conversations can save lives.
  3. Stay connected. Staying connected to your community and support network helps negate the feeling of isolation especially when you are struggling. It also promotes conversation and give you the opportunity to share and gain wisdom from those around you.
  4. Seek help. While this is not always the easiest of steps, recognizing the seriousness of a mental health challenge and the importance of gaining the right support can influence the rate of your recovery.

To normalize the conversation about mental health it needs a whole community approach to nurture a safe environment that removes the stigma making it more acceptable for people to seek help. This starts with awareness and education, followed by acknowledgement and action.

Your mental health is critical to your overall health and wellbeing. You need good mental health to help you get through life’s challenges, to have healthy relationships with others and to enjoy life. It’s important to remember that when everything gets too much for you and you become overwhelmed that there are people, services, and resources that are there to help you, reach out - it could make a huge difference in your life.

No one should travel their journey alone.

To hear more stories about resilience, persistence, and determination, check out our episode of ‘Beyond the Farm Gate’ with Warren Davies ( The Unbreakable Farmer).

If you or someone you know has a mental illness, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member.

Virtual Psychologist on 1300 665 234 or 0488 807 266

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Headspace on 1800 650 890

This article is intended to provide general information on a particular subject or subjects and is not an exhaustive treatment of such subject(s). The information herein is believed to be reliable and has been obtained from public sources believed to be reliable. Rural Bank, a Division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879, makes no representation as to or accepts any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information contained in this report. Any opinions, estimates and projections in this report do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rural Bank and are subject to change without notice. Rural Bank has no obligation to update, modify or amend this article or to otherwise notify a recipient thereof in the event that any opinion, forecast or estimate set forth therein, changes or subsequently becomes inaccurate. This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in this article does not take into account your personal circumstances and should not be relied upon without consulting your legal, financial, tax or other appropriate professional.

Most Popular

Subscribe to insights today

Receive reports direct to your email by subscribing to Rural Bank Insights.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of this nation and the Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present as it is their knowledge and experience that holds the key to the success of future generations.

Rural Bank - A Division of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited
© Copyright 2024 Rural Bank | ABN 11 068 049 178 | AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 237879