FARM life with its country setting is often idealised but as the complications and pace of agriculture have increased, so have the physical and mental demands on workers.
With more than 60 per cent of Queensland in drought, concern is growing for the mental health of farmers.
University of Newcastle’s Andrew Wilkinson says farmers are facing financial, physical and emotional pressure.
In partial fulfilment of his Doctor of Clinical Psychology Degree Mr Wilkinson invites both farmers and agricultural workers to complete a short, online survey for his Farming and Mental Health research project.
“The survey examines current stressors in farming, including work-related issues such as legislation pressures and financial demands,” he said.
“It explores how this might impact mood, sleep and lifestyle.”
Supervised by Dr Keith Harris and Dr Sean Halpin from the School of Psychology, the research is completely anonymous and for every farmer that participates five-dollars will be donated to beyondblue.
Mr Wilkinson comes from a farming background, born and bred in Northwest NSW on a mixed farming enterprise involved with beef cattle and broad acre cropping.
The 2012-2013 Gwydir Valley Cotton Grower Association scholarship recipient believes the research will contribute back to farming a better understanding of how stress is impacting the farmer today.
“We want to understand how farmers can cope well with difficult issues and how we can better support those who don’t manage as well,” Mr Wilkinson said.
To participate, please visit psych.newcastle.edu.au/farming, then scroll down and click “Next” to start the survey.
