Category: News

Take the next step: Rural Aid supports NSW farmers this Mental Health Week

Posted on

With Mental Health Week starting this Saturday, 4 October, Rural Aid is encouraging New South Wales farmers to take meaningful steps toward better mental wellbeing. This year’s theme, Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey, is a reminder that mental health is a process, not a destination.

“Everyone’s journey is different,” said Ian Larnach, Rural Aid’s NSW-based counsellor. “The important thing is to start. That might mean checking in with yourself, having a conversation with someone you trust, or talking to a counsellor.”
 
Mr Larnach supports farmers across NSW with free, confidential counselling, helping them work through challenges such as stress, family pressures, isolation and grief.
 
“You don’t have to take big leaps,” he said. “Even the smallest step forward can shift your perspective. And over time, those small steps add up to real progress.”
 
Rural Aid’s mental health program includes personalised counselling, wellbeing sessions, community workshops and proactive check-ins designed to support farmers in their everyday lives.
 
World Mental Health Day, on Friday 10 October, also provides a moment to pause, reflect and encourage open conversations about mental wellbeing.
 
“Farmers are often so focused on looking after their land, stock and families that they forget to look after themselves,” Mr Larnach said. “But your wellbeing matters too. And there’s always support available.”
 
NSW primary producers can access Rural Aid’s counselling and mental health support services here:

“You don’t have to have it all figured out,” Mr Larnach said. “Just start where you are. And know that you’re not alone — Rural Aid is here to walk alongside you.”

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Connect for Mental Health: Rural Aid encourages Queensland farmers to reach out this Mental Health Week

Posted on

Rural Aid is encouraging Queensland farmers and rural families to start a conversation that matters, with Mental Health Week beginning this Saturday, 4 October. This year’s Queensland theme, Connect for Mental Health, is a reminder that connection is a powerful tool in preventing and managing mental health challenges.

“Connection is absolutely essential in rural life,” said Nicole Galvin, Rural Aid’s Queensland-based counsellor. “It can be the difference between someone struggling in silence or reaching out for support. When we feel connected, we feel seen — and we’re more likely to talk about what’s really going on.”
 
Ms Galvin supports farmers across Queensland with free, confidential counselling, designed to be flexible and practical for those working on the land.
 
“Connection doesn’t have to be formal or time-consuming,” she said. “It might be a chat at the local store, a check-in at the cattle yards or a phone call after dinner. These moments help build trust and let people know they’re not alone.”
 
Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing program delivers one-on-one counselling, wellbeing resources, community workshops and proactive outreach to help farmers stay connected and mentally healthy.
 
In addition to the weeklong focus, World Mental Health Day on Friday 10 October is a chance to reflect on how we can all be part of a more supportive and connected community.
 
“Farmers often put their own wellbeing last,” Ms Galvin said. “But your mental health matters. Connection is a protective factor. It’s a reminder that someone’s in your corner.”
 
Rural Aid encourages any Queensland farmer or rural worker who is struggling to reach out for support:

“Whether it’s a conversation with a mate or a call to a counsellor, every connection counts,” Ms Galvin said. “You don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to help.”

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Connecting when it counts: Rural Aid encourages SA farmers to check in during Mental Health Week

Posted on

With Mental Health Week beginning this Saturday, 4 October, Rural Aid is encouraging South Australian farmers to take time to check in on their mental health and to reach out to those around them. This year’s theme for SA, Connecting When It Counts, highlights the importance of being there for others — especially in rural and remote communities.

Rural Aid’s South Australian-based counsellor, Dorothy Crosby, says connection is one of the most powerful ways to protect mental wellbeing in the bush.
 
“Life on the land can be incredibly rewarding, but also very isolating,” Ms Crosby said. “We know how quickly things can change — with weather, prices, family, even health. That’s why connection, especially in the hard moments, is so important. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes the right conversation at the right time can mean everything.”
 
Ms Crosby supports farmers across the state with free, confidential counselling, delivered by someone who understands rural life and the unique pressures farming families face.
 
“Checking in with a neighbour, sending a quick text, stopping for a cuppa — these small acts can create real change. You don’t have to wait for a crisis. Sometimes it’s about being present when it really matters.”
 
Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing program offers one-on-one counselling, wellbeing check-ins, and practical support to help farmers build emotional resilience. The program also offers community workshops and education to break down stigma around mental health.
 
World Mental Health Day will be held on Friday 10 October, providing an opportunity to talk openly about mental health and reduce the stigma that can prevent people from asking for help.
 
“Support is always available, and you don’t have to go it alone,” Ms Crosby said. “Connection isn’t just something nice to have — it’s a lifeline in tough times.”
 
South Australian farmers can access free and confidential Rural Aid counselling services by contacting:

“Connecting when it counts can change a life,” Ms Crosby said. “And Rural Aid is here to help, whenever you’re ready.”

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Empowered communities make stronger farmers: Rural Aid calls for connection in WA during Mental Health Week

Posted on

Rural Aid is encouraging Western Australian farmers and rural workers to focus on their wellbeing as Mental Health Week kicks off this Saturday, 4 October, with this year’s state-wide theme: Empowering Communities, Thriving Workforces.

The theme highlights the vital link between wellbeing and productivity, and Rural Aid is reminding farming families that strong rural communities are built on everyday acts of connection and care.
 
“Empowered communities are made up of people who look out for one another,” said Roger Hitchcock, Rural Aid’s WA-based counsellor. “When people feel supported and connected, they’re far more likely to thrive — on the farm, at home and in their broader community.”
 
Mr Hitchcock, who works across rural WA supporting farmers with free, confidential counselling, says mental health often takes a back seat in the face of long work hours, isolation and constant uncertainty.
 
“We know farmers are some of the most resilient people around. But that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Mental health matters just as much as physical safety or financial planning. Taking time to talk, check in or slow down can make a real difference.”
 
Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing program is specifically designed for rural Australians. It includes one-on-one counselling with qualified professionals, wellbeing check-ins, resilience workshops, and localised community support.
 
World Mental Health Day, held globally on Friday 10 October, further encourages people to reach out, reduce stigma and build community support for those experiencing mental health challenges.
 
“Looking after your mental health isn’t about making huge changes overnight,” Mr Hitchcock said. “It’s about doing small, meaningful things — and knowing that help is available when you need it.”
 
WA farmers and rural workers can contact Rural Aid for free and confidential support:

“Even one conversation can shift someone’s whole day,” Mr Hitchcock added. “You don’t have to go through tough times alone. Rural Aid is here to walk alongside you.”

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

“A one-two punch”: Rural Aid scales up support as locust crisis deepens in flood-hit Outback Queensland

Posted on

Farmers across Outback Queensland are bracing for another devastating blow, as swarms of locusts rip through more than 5.3 million hectares of pastureland — compounding the emotional and financial toll of this year’s catastrophic floods.

Rural Aid is actively supporting farmers across the region and standing ready to escalate its response, including hay deliveries, financial assistance, and mental health support as the situation worsens.
 
“This is a one-two punch for many farming families,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters
 
“Earlier this year, floodwaters destroyed homes, fences, feed, and infrastructure. Now, as farmers begin to rebuild, locusts are stripping paddocks bare and threatening the recovery.”
 
“Rural Aid is already delivering assistance to rural communities and is fully prepared to step up support in response to this unfolding locust crisis — but we need the public’s help to do it.”
 
Feed loss mounting — donations urgently needed to help provide support for farmers.
 
Locust swarms have now been confirmed across the Richmond, Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine and Flinders Regional Council areas, with widespread destruction reported across more than 5.3 million hectares of grazing land.
 
The Queensland Government has announced an additional $4.5 million for statewide locust control efforts, complementing the $1 million in recovery funding announced last month under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
 
“Rural Aid welcomes this funding,” said CEO John Warlters. “But we know from experience that Rural Aid will play a crucial role in supporting farmers before, during, and long after this disaster.”
 
“Locusts are destroying thousands of tonnes of natural feed and replacing that with hay is going to require significant support,” Mr Warlters said.
 
“Rural Aid stands ready to deliver, but to match the scale of what’s unfolding, we’re calling for urgent donations. Every truckload of hay we send is funded by generous Australians who want to keep our farmers going.”
 
Rural Aid’s support offering
 
Rural Aid is delivering a coordinated response across the region, with services including:

  • Hay deliveries to support livestock feed shortages
  • Financial assistance to help cover household and farm costs
  • Free mental health counselling from Rural Aid’s qualified rural counsellors
  • Volunteer assistance through the Farm Army
  • Long-term recovery and community wellbeing programs

To expand its support footprint, Rural Aid is also recruiting a full-time counsellor to be based permanently in Western Queensland.
 
“Farmers need to know they’re not alone in this,” Mr Warlters said. “We’re here. We’re ready. And we’ll respond with everything we’ve got — but we need Australians to stand with us and help make that happen.”
 
Farmers can register for support at www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.

To help provide assistance to farmers affected by the locust outbreak, visit www.ruralaid.org.au/donate.

About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, committed to supporting farmers and rural communities through good times and tough. Since 2015, Rural Aid has been a vital lifeline in times of hardship, delivering practical assistance such as mental health counselling, hay, drinking water, and community connection initiatives. Now celebrating 10 years of service, the organisation continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with rural Australians, helping them overcome hardship, build resilience, and create stronger, more sustainable futures.

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

Photo credit: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-19/outback-locust-control-funding-queensland-graziers/105787162