Alarming report shows farmer mental health concerns

The national farmer wellbeing report, commissioned by Norco dairy, surveyed the mental health and wellbeing of 1,300 farmers around Australia in February 2023.

Financial stress from inflation and cost pressures, climate change and natural disasters were the major factors pushing farmers to the edge. On average, a natural disaster costs $1.4 million per farm.

More than half the farmers surveyed said they kept mental distress to themselves, not wanting to burden their loved ones.

Norco dairy cooperative CEO Michael Hampson said the findings were "incredibly saddening", and highlighted the need for government help.

"We saw first-hand the devastating impacts the unprecedented flooding event twelve months ago combined with the ongoing wet weather has on our farmers, many of whom are still rebuilding physically, financially, and emotionally," he said.

Cotton, sugarcane and horticultural crop farmers are hardest hit by declining mental health, the national farmer wellbeing report found.

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More than three quarters of Aussie farmers said their role felt undervalued by the public, and one in ten said they felt forgotten by government policies and services.

Rates of loneliness, isolation, anxiety and depression were compounded by limited access to mental health services, the report found.

Farmers in Tasmania, ACT and NT reported the highest rates of suicide and self-harm ideation across Australia.

National Farmers' Federation vice president David Jochinke said farmers experienced shame and stigma around mental health. Government and industry needed to "step in".

"Farmers are built tough and can certainly endure a lot, but it's incredibly important that we work to normalise the issue of mental health and give our farmers both permission and a safe space to share their struggles," he said.

"But to do this effectively, we need to have the right resources and support mechanisms in place to adequately address their challenges," he said.

The National Farmers' Federation is calling on state and federal governments to take action on farmer mental health.

Mr Jochinke said all levels of government urgently need to assess the resourcing they provide to farming communities, as its clear their unique needs are not being met by existing services.