SHARE A MESSAGE OF HOPE WITH OUR AUSSIE FARMERS

Posted on 28 October 202031 October 2023

For many farmers, tough times continue, but we can still share hope

Drought, fires, floods and now the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. Many of our Aussie farmers have experienced more than one of these in the past six months and for some a mix of all.

While uncertainty has been on the peripheral for many, so that our farmers know that they haven’t been forgotten during these times, Rural Aid has launched #DearFarmer letters where people can share a digital message of hope with a farmer. And, the Community Builders webinar series is proving a great support for rural communities too.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said it was more important than ever to acknowledge that farmers really are the backbone of our communities and, to express gratitude for the food we so readily find on our plates.

“We’d like to show our farmers and rural communities that we see and value them especially in uncertain times. Over Christmas 2018, we sent over 3000 letters written by school children to our farmers,” John said. “Some were written in crayon, others covered in glitter, but all had the same heartfelt message – letting farmers know how much they are appreciated.”

“The response from farmers was incredible. Many spoke of the tears they shed reading their letters and their gratitude to the many school children who were thinking of them.

“This year, we’ve taken this incredible initiative digital so, we can reach as many people as possible to send letters of hope.

“As we experience challenging times, our farmers continue to put food on our tables. Panic buying may put strain on our supply chains, but our farmers continue to have our backs by supplying beautiful Australian produce.

“We’re asking Australians of all ages to show their Aussie spirit and share a note of hope on their favourite social media channel with a farmer going through tough times rebuilding after fires, flood and drought.

“We can’t make it rain, but we can take a moment to sit down and write a note, or draw a picture, for our farmers.”

To get involved and share your message of hope with our Aussie farmers, just go to www.ruralaid.org.au/write-dearfarmer-letter/ and:

• Share a virtual message with our farmers by using the hashtag #DearFarmer – don’t forget to tag @ruralaid.
• Write a digital letter and post on our #DearFarmer wall.
• Businesses can get involved by sharing the Dear Farmer page with their employees or by getting in touch with Rural Aid directly.

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.

Media: 0447 116 757 | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

Spokesperson: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters | 0409 618 641

IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE OKAY

Posted on 28 October 202031 October 2023

Meet a Rural Aid counsellor during Mental Health Month

During Mental Health Month (October), Rural Aid asked their rural counsellors to share what they want farmers to know about their mental health.

Rural Aid counsellor Zoe Cox, who provides counselling services from Lithgow to Mudgee, Bathurst to Orange, Parkes and Forbes and in between, says she wishes the message for farmers to hear this Mental Health Month is that it’s okay not to be okay.

“Because the concept of mental health encompasses everything from wellbeing to mental illness, the idea of experiencing unease or feeling a need to reach out can feel incredibly demoralising and scary,” Ms Cox said.

“Yet it is important that we remind ourselves that very functional, healthy individuals will often need support too so the sooner we reach out, the less overwhelming the process becomes and the more relieving the outcome can be because it really is ok, not to be ok.”

As a Registered Counsellor, Zoe has always had a strong passion for helping others.

“Since recognising the need for further support in rural Australia, I have become primarily focused on supporting rural communities. Having grown up on the land myself, I understand the impact of long-term adverse weather patterns on farming and subsequently on mental health as a result of increased isolation, workload and financial strain.”

Zoe’s job involves offering phone and face-to-face counselling for farmers and their families across this region of NSW.
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Media enquiries: Lyndsey Douglas 0424203935  | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au
Media spokespersons: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters – 0409 618 641 

About Rural Aid | Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.
Follow Rural Aid for updates on: FB: @ruralaidaustralia | @buyabaleofhay. IN: Rural Aid Ltd. TW: @ruralaidaust | @buyabale

IMPORTANT MESSAGE DURING MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Posted on 28 October 202031 October 2023

Meet a Rural Aid counsellor during Mental Health Month

During Mental Health Month (October), Rural Aid asked their rural counsellors to share what they want farmers to know about their mental health. 

Rural Aid counsellor Gary Bentley says the one message he’d like primary producers to know is simple.

“No-one is perfect, no life is perfect…but for every problem there is a solution,” Mr Bentley said. 

“There is no shame in owning up to pain and asking for help. Finding someone to talk to can be an incredibly powerful step.”

“And, above all else, be kind – first to yourself and then to others.”

Mr Bentley’s journey to being a counsellor, after decades in the media, came about due to scarcity.

“I am a Rural Aid counsellor as a personal response to the lack of mental health facilities and assistance in rural communities despite an ever-increasing need,” he explains.

“The service provided by Rural Aid is unique and, since being established a little over two years ago, our counsellors have built a reputation for reliability, empathy and accessibility. What we are doing works…and we see that every day.”

“As a counsellor I am talking every day with farmers either on their property or by phone. And as a representative of Rural Aid I am involved in a wide range of community interaction – speaking at service club meetings, involvement in interagency groups and a lot of diverse media work including radio and television work and production of a counselling column which is published weekly across the country.”

Gary Bentley is based in the Hunter Valley and is primarily responsible for that region. 

“Whilst I’m based in the Hunter Valley, as far as crisis management and disaster response is concerned, I have something of a roaming brief. My work with Rural Aid has taken me into drought, flood and fire areas across a large part of NSW. I have also worked in Victoria and Queensland. Where face-to-face counselling isn’t practical, I am also doing phone counselling across four states.”
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Media enquiries: Lyndsey Douglas 0424203935  | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au
Media spokespersons: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters – 0409 618 641  

About Rural Aid | Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.
Follow Rural Aid for updates on: FB: @ruralaidaustralia | @buyabaleofhay. IN: Rural Aid Ltd. TW: @ruralaidaust | @buyabale

THE POWER OF ONE CONVERSATION

Posted on 19 October 202031 October 2023

Rural Aid sends message to rural communities during NSW Mental Health Month

As October draws to a close, Rural Aid is reminding rural communities during NSW Mental Health Month that one conversation at the right time, with the right person, can change everything.

Whether it’s about relationships, life on the land or just not feeling ‘right’, having a chat can be one of the most powerful tools a farmer can utilise.

CEO of Rural Aid, John Warlters, says that Rural Aid is committed to supporting farmers and their wellbeing.

“Sometimes restoring balance in our mental wellbeing can be found just in enjoying an activity that is not farm-related for an hour. It could be reading, riding, running or being in the garden, golfing or going fishing.”

“Similarly, having a chat with the right person can change everything yet, traditionally, primary producers tend to keep quiet. We’re seeing a gradual shift in this sentiment, and events such as drought, relationship struggles, fire, financial hurdles, and even covid isolation have been catalysts for that first chat with us.”

Research shows three significant factors that directly influence the delivery of counselling services within rural communities are stigma, social isolation and mental health literacy.

“We’re seeing farmers becoming more and more comfortable with taking up counselling when they need it. We had nearly 1600 primary producers reach out to our counselling services in the last quarter. Some received support via phone, others face to face, and also through our monthly webinars.”

“Our tailored counselling program helps build emotional resilience and aims to reduce stress, depression and suicide in rural areas,” Mr Warlters said.

“We employ qualified, Australian Counselling Association nationally-registered counsellors to provide mental wellbeing support services for farmers and their families”

“Our counsellors live within their communities and foster long-term relationships with farmers, farming families, community groups and other non-government organisations,” Mr Warlters said.

END

Media enquiries: Lyndsey Douglas 0424203935  | media@admin.media.ruralaid.org.au

Media spokespersons: Rural Aid CEO John Warlters – 0409 618 641 

About Rural Aid

Rural Aid is one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Well known for the highly successful ‘Buy a Bale’ campaign, the charity also provides financial assistance, water and counselling to farmers in times of drought, flood or fire. Other initiatives support its vision that farming and rural communities are safeguarded to ensure their sustainability both during and after these natural disasters. Visit www.ruralaid.org.au for further information on these programs and other support for our rural communities.

Visit www.ruralaid.org.au/snapshots for Rural Aid’s latest assistance statistics.

Follow Rural Aid for updates on:

FB: @ruralaidaustralia | @buyabaleofhay

IN: Rural Aid Ltd

TW: @ruralaidaust | @buyabale