Category: News

Under Pressure: How Financial and Environmental Strains Are Impacting Farmers’ Mental Health

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Australia’s farmers are facing more than the challenges of floods, fires and droughts. Quietly and persistently, they are dealing with rising financial pressure, emotional exhaustion and growing uncertainty, which are having a serious impact on wellbeing across rural communities.

Rural Aid, Australia’s leading rural support charity, is seeing a sharp increase in demand for its services, as farming families struggle with rising costs, labour shortages, unpredictable markets and the changing climate.
 
“Farmers are feeling the squeeze from every direction,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “From the diesel in their tractors to the food on their tables, costs are up. Labour is scarce and expensive, interest rates are high, and many are working harder than ever, just to keep up.”
 
The Hidden Toll on Mental Health
 
While natural disasters remain a visible threat, it’s the compounding financial and environmental stressors that are quietly taking a significant toll on farmers’ mental health. Rural Aid says the pressure is building for many, with years of back-to-back challenges leaving little room for rest or recovery.
 
The cost of essentials like fuel, fertiliser and machinery has soared. Labour shortages mean more responsibilities fall to farm owners, often at the expense of their own health and family time. At the same time, climate variability and shifting market conditions make it difficult to plan for the future, while rising interest rates are tightening already stretched budgets.
 
Ongoing biosecurity threats, such as pests and disease outbreaks, demand constant vigilance and bring added mental strain that can be difficult to quantify.
 
“These challenges rarely come one at a time,” Mr Warlters said. “They build up, year after year. What we’re hearing from farmers is a deep sense of fatigue — emotional, physical and financial.”
 
The Mental Health Impact
 
The consequences are clear. Research shows that farmers are 59% more likely to take their own lives than the general population. Nearly half have experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and many say they find it difficult to reach out for help.
 
“These aren’t just statistics, they represent real people; our farmers, their families, our neighbours,” Mr Warlters said. “The emotional burden some of them carry is incredibly heavy.”
 
Rural Aid Steps Up, But Needs Support
 
In response, Rural Aid is expanding its support services to meet growing demand. These include:

  • Free, professional counselling through Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing team
  • Financial assistance to help cover essential living and business expenses
  • Delivery of hay, drinking water and household goods
  • Community-building programs to reduce isolation and support resilience

“Our counsellors are often the first people a farmer has ever spoken to about how they’re feeling,” Mr Warlters said. “That first conversation can be life-changing. But we rely on the generosity of Australians to make these services possible.”
 
A Call for Community Action
 
Rural Aid is encouraging Australians to get behind their farming communities by donating, raising awareness and advocating for long-term mental health support in the regions.
 
“To every farmer: you are not alone. And to every Australian: your support makes a difference,” said Mr Warlters. “Together, we can help ensure that no farmer is left to face these challenges without support.”
 
To donate or access support, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate or call 1300 327 624.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Historic First Hay Drop for Kangaroo Island as Drought Pressures Mount

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In a major milestone for drought support on Kangaroo Island, Rural Aid will conduct its first-ever hay drop to local farmers facing continued hardship due to the prolonged dry conditions.

While Rural Aid has previously delivered water to the island, this marks the first time hay will be transported to assist livestock producers doing it tough.

Over two days — Wednesday, 18 June and Wednesday, 25 June — 238 bales weighing a combined 154 tonnes of hay will be delivered to 19 farmers across Kangaroo Island. Two B-double trucks will be transported via ferry to the island on each day to complete the delivery.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters will be on the island for the historic first drop.

“This hay drop represents a significant and much-needed show of support for our farmers on Kangaroo Island,” Mr Warlters said. “They’ve battled through some of the toughest seasons on record, and this delivery will help ease the burden during a critical time. It’s a privilege to stand alongside these resilient communities and let them know they’re not forgotten.”

Rural Aid extends its sincere thanks to the State Government through Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) for their vital support in funding the transport of the hay to the island.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the State Government for making this delivery possible,” Mr Warlters said. “Their backing has helped us remove a major logistical hurdle and bring real, tangible help to where it’s needed most.”

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the State Government is proud to support this important initiative with Rural Aid.

“Kangaroo Island’s farming communities are a vital part of South Australia’s primary industries sector, and we are committed to assisting them through the ongoing drought,” Minister Scriven said.

“We greatly appreciate the work Rural Aid and the other charities with which we have partnered are doing to deliver donated hay. It’s a fantastic display of government and community working together to get fodder where it’s needed.”

Rural Aid’s hay drops are part of a broader effort to support farmers through practical assistance, financial aid and mental wellbeing support.

Help Us Help More Farmers

Rural Aid relies on the generosity of everyday Australians to continue delivering critical support to farming families across the country.

To donate, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate or call 1300 327 624.

Every donation, big or small, makes a difference.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

“You’re Not Alone”: Rural Aid Brings Hope to Flood-Hit Western Queensland

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In the wake of devastating floods, Rural Aid is rallying around Western Queensland’s farming communities with a powerful message: you are not alone.

From 10–17 June, Rural Aid will be on the ground in Thargomindah, offering hands-on mental health support, meaningful connection, and a good dose of joy—reminding families that brighter days are ahead.
 
Leading the visit is Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Myf Pitcher, who will spend the week checking in with local primary producers and their families, offering compassionate counselling and emotional support.
 
“When people are doing it tough, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up and listen,” Ms Pitcher said.
 
“We want every farmer in the region to know—your struggles are seen, your resilience is admired, and Rural Aid is here to walk beside you.”
 
In response to the ongoing need for mental health care in the region, Rural Aid is also actively recruiting a dedicated counsellor to be based in Western Queensland, ensuring flood-affected families have consistent, local access to wellbeing support into the future.
 
Alongside emotional and community support, Rural Aid is delivering essential household water tanks to families whose supplies were impacted by flooding, as well as hay drops to support livestock on struggling properties. This practical assistance provides critical relief to families facing immediate challenges in the aftermath of the disaster.
 
As part of the visit, Rural Aid ambassador Josh Arnold will bring his trademark energy and positivity to Thargomindah on Friday 13 June, performing for students, families and staff at Thargomindah State School, before taking the stage at the Shearers Shindig. The much-loved local event is a highlight on the community calendar, offering a welcome chance for locals to come together, share a laugh, and enjoy some well-earned downtime after a difficult few months.
 
This multi-layered support is made possible thanks to the generous backing of Rural Aid’s corporate partners like leading Australian energy infrastructure business APA Group, whose commitment in this region ensures help reaches families when and where it’s needed most. But to keep delivering this vital aid—whether it’s water tanks, hay, counselling or community connection—Rural Aid also relies on the generosity of everyday Australians.
 
Public donations play a crucial role in helping farmers not just survive the aftermath of disaster, but regain their footing with dignity and hope.
 
“If you’ve ever wondered how you can help a farmer facing hardship, this is how,” said Ms Pitcher.
 
“By donating to Rural Aid, you’re helping us put counsellors in communities, and hope in the hearts of families who need it most.”
 
Together, we can help Western Queensland get back on its feet.
 
How to help

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

About APA Group:
APA Group is a leading Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) listed energy infrastructure business, committed to securing Australia’s energy future through sustainable practices. APA Group is proud to support flood-impacted farming families in Western Queensland and is a valued partner of Rural Aid, creating positive social impacts in communities where it operates or plans to develop infrastructure.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid Brings Relief to Eudunda Farmers as Drought Tightens Its Grip

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As the prolonged and punishing drought continues to plague South Australia, farming families in the Eudunda region are facing some of the toughest conditions in living memory. With dry paddocks, shrinking water supplies and the emotional weight of ongoing uncertainty, many are stretched to their limits.

To support these families, Rural Aid will deliver a Farm Recovery Event (FRE) in Eudunda from 15 to 21 June 2025, bringing a team of dedicated volunteers to help ease the pressure.
 
The week-long event will see volunteers assist local farmers with fencing repairs, yard and property maintenance, vegetation clearing and small-scale construction, helping restore safety, function and dignity to farm properties.
 
“The drought is unrelenting and the pressure on farming families is immense,” said John Warlters, CEO of Rural Aid. “This isn’t just about dry weather—this is about livelihoods, legacies and mental health. Many farmers are doing it tough, quietly and without complaint. We’re here to say: you’re not alone.”
 
The Farm Recovery Event is one of several Rural Aid initiatives aimed at supporting regional communities weathering the drought. Over the past 12 months, Rural Aid has delivered more than 2.6 million litres of fresh drinking water and 3,100 bales of hay to South Australian farmers, as well as ongoing mental health and financial support.
 
“Behind every bale of hay and every drop of water is the generosity of donors and partners who believe in supporting our rural communities,” Mr Warlters said. “We are incredibly grateful to those who continue to stand with the bush.”
 
More than just practical help, the FRE will also provide farmers with something equally important: connection. Volunteers bring not only skills and tools, but also understanding, compassion and a listening ear—small gestures that can have a lasting impact. The benefits of an FRE often ripple beyond the farm itself, strengthening the fabric of rural communities through shared support and solidarity. Past FREs have received heartfelt feedback from farmers who’ve spoken about the relief, encouragement and renewed hope these visits have brought—not just for their work, but for their wellbeing.
 
How to Support Rural Aid
 
Australians who want to support farmers can:

  • Donate at ruralaid.org.au/donate
  • Register to volunteer at future Farm Recovery Events visit ruralaid.org.au/volunteer

“Every act of support—whether it’s a donation, a conversation or a week spent volunteering—helps us continue this vital work,” Mr Warlters said. “Together, we can give farming families the strength to carry on.”

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au

Rural Aid Shines a Light on the Women Behind the Farm Gate

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As part of its tax-time appeal, ‘No Farmer Stands Alone’, Rural Aid is shining a spotlight on the essential—but often overlooked—contributions of women in agriculture.

Women are the backbone of Australian farms—playing vital roles as labourers, decision-makers, carers, and community leaders. They face the same emotional and financial stressors as men, compounded by the added weight of often managing households and supporting others through crises.
 
Rural Aid’s Pulse of the Paddock survey found that 58% of farmers rated their mental health as average or worse, with 38% citing barriers to accessing support services for themselves and their families. For many rural women, those barriers are even more pronounced.
 
“Too often, when we think of a ‘farmer,’ we picture a man in a paddock—but women are deeply involved in every part of farming life,” said Myf Pitcher, Rural Aid’s Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing. “They shoulder enormous responsibility—running farms, raising families, and guiding communities through disasters. Yet their mental health challenges are often invisible and unspoken.”
 
Alyce Parker, GWS Giants AFLW player and Rural Aid’s newest ambassador, knows these challenges firsthand. Raised on a farm in Holbrook, NSW, she understands the emotional toll rural life can take—especially on women.
 
“Growing up on the land taught me resilience, but it also showed me how isolating and relentless farming life can be,” Alyce said. “I’ve seen the pressure my mum and other rural women carry. They give everything to their families and farms but often put their own wellbeing last.”
 
“Rural women are strong, but strength doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get support. That’s why I’m proud to be part of Rural Aid—because they understand that connection and compassion make a real difference.”
 
Farmer Carol Hill, from Coraki in the Northern Rivers, echoes that sentiment. After years of droughts, bushfires, and floods, it was Rural Aid’s personal approach that helped her through.
 
“You don’t want to admit you’re struggling,” Carol said. “Farmers are strong, but sometimes we need help too. Rural Aid doesn’t just give you a number to call—they call you. They come to you. That human connection is everything.”
 
In the past 12 months, Rural Aid has seen a 55% rise in new mental health referrals. Its counsellors travel on-farm, make regular check-in calls, and deliver practical, compassionate support to families doing it tough.
 
“This tax time, we’re asking Australians to stand with farming families—especially the women who are so often the emotional backbone of the farm,” said Myf Pitcher. “Every donation can help Rural Aid connect with more people in need—both practically and emotionally through the many ups and downs of farm life.”
 
Donations support:

  • One-on-one on-farm counselling and wellbeing calls
  • Mental health workshops for rural communities
  • Resilience programs for kids and teens in remote schools

Behind every healthy farm is a healthy family. Help Rural Aid ensure that No Farmer Stands Alone.
 
Donate at: https://taxtime.ruralaid.org.au.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au