Farmers' Mental Health

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:41): Today, I rise to highlight the challenges facing our South Australian farmers, challenges that impact not just their work in the paddock but their mental wellbeing as well. Mental health struggles of farmers are gaining attention, with reports of an unprecedented drought crisis and rural mental health crisis laid bare. The facts are stark: farmer suicide rates are double those of other workers, yet they are half as likely to see a GP or mental health professional compared with others. This is not just a statistic. It reflects the isolation and the immense pressure that many of our farmers are facing daily.

The organisation ifarmwell points to a troubling stigma that keeps many farmers from seeking mental health support. Known for their independence, a reluctance to complain and a 'farm comes first' attitude, many farmers end up bearing these burdens alone. On top of that, the public often misunderstands their struggles. Brad Perry, CEO of Grain Producers SA, spoke out recently in the Stock Journal against some of these misconceptions. Comments like 'Farmers should just sell another beach house or the LandCruiser' or 'It's only been one bad season' reveal just how disconnected these views are from the reality of life on the land.

The reality is that farmers are crucial to our state's economy. Last year, they contributed over $18 billion, making up more than half of South Australia's export revenue. With such a huge responsibility to keep the state thriving, it is no wonder that many farmers feel the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Their costs are enormous, from machinery to fuel, chemicals to feed, and more. These are some of the highest input costs in any industry and they are only going up. Cost-of-living pressures are hitting South Australians hard and farmers are feeling the pinch even more. Electricity, water, groceries and insurance are all on the rise and for many of our farmers these increases mean an extra strain on budgets that are already past breaking point. Unique expenses of farming and rising costs have led many to face deficits in the hundreds of thousands. For them, a failed crop or a season of drought is not just a setback, it is a crisis.

Mental Health Australia's recent national report highlights the impact of these rising living costs on Australian's wellbeing, but farmers are facing even bigger pressures. A recent study by the University of South Australia revealed that the economic cost of mental health issues in Australia ranges between $200 billion and $220 billion annually. For farmers who face financial uncertainty and external stressors, these challenges are especially acute.

Ifarmwell's findings emphasise that major stressors for farmers include financial pressure, unpredictable regulations and the growing disconnect between rural and urban perspectives on farming. One farmer put it pretty bluntly: 'We are ready for droughts, for floods, and for fires, but not for the additional stress from government interference.' This year has been exceptionally tough. Farmers are dealing with a live sheep export ban, the most severe vineyard frost in decades, an undeclared drought, issues with sheep eID and the recent tomato virus outbreak. Each of these adds to the daily stress and sense of being left behind. We are fortunate to have organisations like Beyond Blue, R U OK?, FarmHub, ifarmwell, Head to Health and Fat Farmers stepping up to support our farmers.

These groups are working to shift the culture around mental health, reminding farmers that seeking support is not a weakness. While this is a positive step, we need government support that acknowledges and respects farmers' unique needs. Our farmers are not asking for special treatment, they are just asking for a fair go and an understanding of their realities. They are the heart of our economy and they need solutions that match their specific challenges. We cannot just pat them on the back and tell them to be resilient; they need real, targeted support.

I am very keen that in the future this parliament will play its part in being able to get out into the regions and to listen, and I certainly will be advocating for that from a community perspective for us to look into an inquiry into this. To close, I will share the words of a South Australian farmer who said:

As a nation, we say we love our farmers. If that's the case, then we as a nation should be greatly concerned about one of the biggest issues farmers are facing every day. And we need to start now—because for some, tomorrow may be too late.