Louise Fraser addressed the recent open day at Hay Multipurpose Service (Hay Hospital) and spoke about the Farming Community Counselling Service.

The main role of the Farming Community Counselling Service is to provide one on one professional support or counselling to farmers, their families and the wider agricultural community including people who work in agriculture and rural communities.

The counselling service is structured and time limited depending on the person’s needs and situation.

“We meet in flexible spaces,” Ms Fraser said.

“We meet in parks or places away from where the stress is impacting people.”

The service is designed to support psychological resilience - by developing practical coping mechanisms with regard to the psychological impacts of working on farms or in agriculture.

It helps people navigate the impacts of droughts and other stressors.

Farming Community Counsellors can also link clients into relevant services dependent on the individual and their needs.

This could include the Rural Financial Counselling Service, GP’s, Specialist Mental Health or support services.

“If counselling doesn’t suit, we’re great at checking in through a phone call, email or popping by and saying Hi!” a spokesperson said.

“Farmers, their families, the wider agricultural sector and communities are facing tremendous pressures.

“Farmers often have to find off farm work as they may not have the full support of the farm itself.

“Many factors that influence the farms viability are out of the farmer’s control.”

The counselling service is free and confidential. Referrals can be made by the individual by calling the FCC intake line on 0436 811 692.