A coalition of more than 30 Australian rural and healthcare organisations has been formed to tackle the mental health crisis affecting people in agriculture.
Ahead of the coming Federal budget and election, it is calling on the Government to make an immediate investment of $50 million over five years to address the crisis.
Dr Tim Driscoll, Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland Section State Manager – Mental Health, and chair of the steering committee leading the initiative, said the statistics were sobering.
“A farmer dies by suicide in Australia every 10 days,” he said. “That’s up to twice the rate of the general public.”
To join the coalition, contact the National Farmers’ Federation: (02) 6269 5666 or reception@nff.org.au