Conversations can save lives – here’s where to start in the Murraylands
A screening of the film Just a Farmer has kicked off a series of events around our region focusing on rural mental health.
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It’s not a secret that farmers and rural communities struggle with mental health, yet many try to keep their own struggles hidden.
It’s easy for small, everyday struggles to go unnoticed by others, and over recent years there has been much stress within the agricultural community.
Steve Hein, president of the Mypolonga Progress Association, attributed this to multiple factors.
COVID-19; livestock, milk, citrus and grain prices; supermarkets; flooding; and fertiliser prices and availability were all on the list.
“It’s not just about the extreme events of mental health but also the smaller battles,” Mr Hein said.
“Each and every one of these creates a level of anxiety that builds.”
The association responded by hosting a screening of the film Just a Farmer at Murray Bridge’s Cameo Cinema on Monday night.
It was the last such community screening to be held at the cinema before it closes this Saturday, but the first in a series of events throughout the Murray, Mallee and Coorong which will focus on rural mental health in the coming weeks.
Unbreakable Farmer Warren Davies and Legless and Blind duo Mike Rolls and Ben Pettingill will both visit local communities during August.
Though the events have all been organised by different groups, each will share intimate, personal stories that aim to open up a discussion about mental health.
Cameo Cinema holds special screening
More than 100 people attended the screening of Just a Farmer on Monday night to deepen conversations around mental health, specifically within agricultural communities.
The aim was to initiate, encourage and support vital community conversations that need to be had around mental health issues.
Mypolonga Progress Association, the Mid Murray Council, the state Department of Primary Industries and Regions and iReach hosted the screening.
Mid Murray wellbeing officer Shelley Rose opened the night along with Tarsha McGregor at PIRSA, with a debrief at the end from Lisa Courtney at iReach.
“This movie was powerful,” Ms Rose said.
“Viewers were shown the emotional ripple effect of a young farmer’s suicide and how his suicide impacted his family, loved ones, and the community.
“It provides an opportunity to de-stigmatise mental health and to discuss openly about our wellbeing.”
The event was jointly funded by the South Australian and federal governments under disaster recovery funding arrangements.
The Unbreakable Farmer is coming to the Coorong
In the Coorong, Warren Davies, the Unbreakable Farmer, will visit communities to spread a message about mental health.
Mr Davies’ eventful life has tested his resilience, persistence and determination, and had a massive impact on his young family, relationships and finances.
Now, as a mental health advocate and professional speaker, his authentic and sometimes confronting presentation is focused on communication, connection and seeking help.
Sessions will be held at:
- Peake football clubrooms: 6pm Wednesday, August 7 (register here)
- Coonalpyn football clubrooms: 6.30pm Thursday, August 8 (register here)
- Meningie Golf Club: 7pm Friday, August 9 (register here)
- The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend: 2pm Sunday, August 11 (register here)
The events will be staged thanks to the support of a $10,000 state emergency relief fund grant secured by the Coorong District Council.
Coorong Mayor Paul Simmons encouraged residents to attend.
“Warren Davies is one of Australia’s leading rural mental health speakers and advocates,” he said.
“They provide people with strategies they can take home and implement in their day to day lives to overcome challenges and keep them moving forward.”
- More information: www.coorong.sa.gov.au.
Mates on a mission in the Murraylands
Later in August, Mike Rolls and Ben Pettingill, also known as Legless and Blind, are coming to the Murraylands.
They are a couple of down to earth, great mates that love having a laugh but also know how to talk about the things that are often avoided.
The pair will visit 12 destinations on a regional tour, including Unity College, Coomandook Area School, Murray Bridge High School, Mannum Community College, Karoonda Area School and Lameroo Regional Community School.
The Mates on a Mission program is an initiative designed to make a positive impact on communities.
Their public dates will include:
- Jervois Combined Sports Club: 7pm Thursday, August 15
- Malinong Hall blokes night: 6pm Friday, August 16
- Murray Bridge Club: 3-6pm Sunday, August 18
- Mannum Football Club: 7pm Tuesday, August 20
- Karoonda Bowling Club: 6pm Wednesday, August 21
- Lameroo Sports Club: 7pm Thursday, August 22
The tour will be presented by Ski for Life.
- Get help: Talk to your GP; find a local mental health service that suits you at murraymallee.servicesdirectory.org.au; call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636; or, in an emergency, call 000.
- Find a Family and Business mentor: FaB mentors work closely with service providers and can connect you to support: options:https://www.pir.sa.gov.au
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