INDUSTRY NEWS
Providing a Lifeline in growing regions
MENTAL health challenges are a significant issue across Australian agriculture and the almond industry shares many of these pressures – it can be lonely and often stressful, particularly around key periods like harvest. To support there are 41 independently operated Lifeline centres across Australia, providing a lifeline to those in distress and offering hope. Lifeline Loddon Mallee is one of these, operating crisis support call centres in both Bendigo and Mildura, directly supporting the Sunraysia growing region and answering over 22,000 calls annually from people in emotional distress and at risk of suicide. Lifeline Loddon Mallee CEO Lisa Renato says that supporting farming communities is key to reducing stigma and incidence of suicide.“ Evidence shows that agricultural workers face higher rates of psychological distress, financial stress, environmental pressures and suicide risk compared to the general population," Mrs Renato said. " Couple that with the fact that residents of rural and remote areas are twice as likely to die by suicide as their urban counterparts and we have a significant health crisis across our regions." Lifeline Loddon Mallee along with their counterparts in the Riverina and almond growing regions of South and Western Australia offer a range of community programs, such as counselling, training and 24-hour crisis lines to support communities. For Lifeline Loddon Mallee this also includes a critical incident response to provide on the ground assistance to communities following a disaster or tragedy.“ Our Disaster Recovery and Critical Incident Response Team Program( DRCIRT) manages the immediate psychological, operational and safety impacts of traumatic events – particularly in small communities," Mrs Renato said. " We have been on the ground in response to farming fatalities, homicides and catastrophic events such as the recent Victorians bushfires. " We know that supporting the safety and wellbeing of people after
Lifeline Loddon Mallee CEO Lisa Renato.
How Lifeline Loddon Mallee supports the Sunraysia growing area
24 / 7 Crisis Support via the national hotline 13 11 14, answered locally by trained volunteers in Bendigo and Mildura.
Critical Incident Response for communities following traumatic events.
Training & education programs to build community capacity to respond to mental health challenges.
Need Support?
If you or someone you know needs help, call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 for confidential crisis support from anywhere in Australia.
traumatic or disruptive events helps enable them to be better equipped for other challenges.“ That’ s a message that should really resonate for people in any farming enterprise- that looking after your mental health and the mental wellbeing of your employees helps equip them to better deal with other stresses as they arise.
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Evidence shows that agricultural workers face higher rates of psychological distress, financial stress, environmental pressures and suicide risk compared to the general population
- Lisa Renato, Lifeline Loddon Mallee CEO
" We want people to know that calling Lifeline doesn’ t just have to be about thoughts of suicide, often we help people dealing with loneliness and isolation. " There is absolutely nothing wrong with contacting Lifeline. It is okay to not be okay. No matter what you’ re facing on the farm, your feelings are real and they matter.” To find out more about training and other opportunities your local Lifeline centre offers in your community you can visit www. lifeline. org. au / about / find-a-lifelinecentre-near-you Help support their work. Donate at lifelinelm. com
industry. australianalmonds. com. au
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