Mental health of farmers in Southern Queensland: issues and support.
OBJECTIVE
To inform the development of an initiative designed to support the mental well-being of farmers in Queensland.


METHODS
Interactive focus groups.


METHODS
Rural and remote Queensland.


METHODS
Health professionals, farmers and representatives of organisations and agencies working with farmers.


METHODS
Determination of factors contributing to the declining mental health of rural landholders. Content material for inclusion into mental health first aid programs held for field officers.


RESULTS
Key areas identified to contribute to the decline in mental health of farmers were: increasing isolation in its varying forms, the ongoing drought, increased government regulations and widening of the schism between urban and rural Australians. The issues that affect farmers are recognised to have a 'knock-on' effect on the people who interact with them. In particular, rural support organisations are concerned for the well-being of their staff, prompting some to begin to put protocols in place to address their staff need for mental health support. Additional mental health training of field officers that involves awareness, recognition, communication skills, understanding and empathy was recognised by participants to be beneficial.


CONCLUSIONS
Training of field officers was considered to be of benefit to the support of farmers. An understanding of the various and diverse issues that rural landholders face should be a fundamental component of that training.
Hossain
Delwar
D
Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health, University of Southern Queensland, Australia.
Eley
Rob
R
Coutts
Jeff
J
Gorman
Don
D
D000383:Agriculture; D003142:Communication; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D055864:Droughts; D017144:Focus Groups; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D016730:Program Development; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric / Q000193:education*; D000078329:Workforce