Episode 139 – How Does the Stress of Farming Impact Our Mental Well-being?

In my last episode introduction I asked - who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress or hardship in this game called farming?

In this episode, I explore this theme further with an in-depth interview with Sarah Crossthwaite. Sarah lives and works with her husband and family on a dairy farm in Northeast Victoria. She has an impressive career as an accredited mental health social worker, actively supporting men and women of our industry through times of hardship.

Recently Sarah made the decision to complete a Nuffield Scholarship, and embark on a global research project exploring the impact that financial duress, market volatility and government interventions can have on the mental health and well-being of farming families.

To say this is an important research piece is an understatement, and I commend Sarah for her dedication and commitment as an advocate for the mental strength and well-being of our industry and rural communities.

In this podcast, we explore what it is Sarah sees, what it is she is hoping to achieve through this research, and the impact she hopes her research might have.

The Nuffield Foundation is an incredible organisation and global network, committed to supporting research projects like this one that can have an impact of significance on the farming sector – both locally and globally.

In this podcast we also explore the process that Sarah has moved through to be accepted as a Nuffield Scholar, and what it is like to be part of that great organisation and global network.

You can learn about Sarah’s research project here.

You can learn more about and apply for a Nuffield Scholarship here.

Also, for support more personally around mental health and well-being – for you or someone you know – we provide some links that might help you:

TIACS : https://www.tiacs.org/

Rural Health Connect : https://ruralhealthconnect.com.au/

Rural Aid : https://www.ruralaid.org.au/counsellors/

Congratulations Sarah, thank you for your time, and I look forward to a follow-up conversation once your research and global tour on this topic is complete.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Hutchings & The Farm Owners Academy Team

Here are the show notes for the podcast episode:

Sarah Crosthwaite, a mental health social worker and dairy farmer, shares her journey and passion for supporting the wellbeing of farming communities. As a Nuffield scholar, she is researching how financial stress, climate variability, and government policies impact the mental health of farmers and their families.

Sarah reflects on her transition from dairy farming to social work, driven by her interest in understanding human development, trauma, and the power of listening without judgment. She discusses the rewarding yet challenging experience of supporting farmers during the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, emphasizing the need to focus on people's strengths rather than just promoting resilience.

Through her Nuffield project, Sarah aims to explore how other countries address mental health challenges in agriculture and uncover best practices to improve support for Australian farmers and rural communities. She shares insights into the rigorous application process, the supportive Nuffield network, and her research focusing on key themes like financial stress, unpredictable weather, and regulatory changes.

Sarah also discusses the importance of financial literacy for farmers, as those with better understanding are better equipped to navigate stressful events. She is working to synthesize her findings and present a report to share insights on enhancing mental health support and financial education for the agricultural sector.

The 3 key learnings that are likely surprising to the reader are:

• Sarah Crosthwaite, a mental health social worker, is also a dairy farmer, highlighting the unique challenges and perspectives she brings to her research.

• She is advocating for sustainable practices and holistic approaches to mental health care, rather than just traditional methods.

• She has launched a counseling service specifically tailored for rural communities, recognizing the unique needs and challenges faced by farmers and rural Australians.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Exploring Farming Family Resilience

00:05:16 - From Dairy Farm to Social Work: Sarah's Journey

00:10:07 - Exploring Mental Wellbeing Support for Farmers

00:14:26 - Exploring Agriculture Through Nuffield Scholarship

00:18:28 - The Nuffield Network: A Supportive Family for Farmers

00:25:13 - Improving Financial Literacy for Farmers

00:32:48 - Overcoming Barriers to Strategic Farming

00:37:25 - Adapting to Technology for Mental Health Support in Rural Communities

00:43:01 - Addressing Concerns with Compassion

00:45:07 - Overcoming the Fear of Reaching Out for Support

00:50:10 - Persevere Through Challenges: Overcoming Dyslexia and Achieving Dreams

Summary:

Sarah Crosthwaite, a mental health social worker and dairy farmer, has committed to a Nuffield scholarship to research the impact of financial stress, climate variability, and government intervention on the mental health and well-being of farming families. As a farmer representative on the National Centre for Farmer Health Advisory Board, Sarah advocates for sustainable practices and holistic approaches to mental health care. She has recently launched her own counseling service tailored specifically for farmers, their families, and farm workers, aiming to bridge the gap between mental health support and rural communities. Sarah, a social worker and counselor, shares how she transitioned from a dairy farm background to pursuing a career in social work. She found her passion in understanding human development, trauma, and the importance of listening to people's stories without judgment. Sarah reflects on the rewarding yet challenging experience of supporting farming communities during the 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia, highlighting the resilience and strength of these individuals. She emphasizes the need to focus on people's abilities and strengths rather than just telling them to be more resilient. Sarah's interest in research and a Nuffield project stemmed from her desire to better understand the wider community's perceptions of farmers and their experiences. Sarah, a healthcare professional, was curious about the availability of mental health services for farmers and rural communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She felt there was support available, but wondered if people were not reaching out or if the services were not being promoted well enough. Intrigued by this, Sarah applied for the prestigious Nuffield Scholarship, which will allow her to travel internationally and explore how other countries are addressing mental health challenges in agriculture. Her goal is to uncover insights and best practices that can be applied to improve mental wellbeing support for farmers and rural Australians. Sarah, a Nuffield Scholar, shares her experiences navigating the rigorous application process, which involved state and national interviews, networking with other scholars, and attending conferences. She highlights the supportive Nuffield network, which has provided her with opportunities to travel and conduct research on her topic of mental health and wellbeing in farming communities. Despite the initial challenge of feeling responsible for solving the mental health crisis in regional Australia, Sarah has focused her research on key themes such as financial stress, unpredictable weather, and changes in government regulations, and their impact on farmers. The Nuffield program has been a transformative experience, allowing Sarah to build connections, explore new perspectives, and pursue her research goals. The speaker discusses their research into the connections between mental health, financial literacy, and supporting farmers. They have been interviewing a range of people to understand the major issues and ways to address the accumulated stress that can arise from financial situations or changes in rules and regulations. The speaker highlights the importance of financial literacy, noting that many farmers lack a strong understanding of their business finances. They've found that farmers with better financial literacy are better equipped to respond to stressful events in a more positive way, as they have the knowledge and plans in place to navigate challenges. The speaker is now working to synthesize their findings into a report to be presented at an upcoming conference. The speakers discuss the importance of financial literacy and support for farmers, particularly in New Zealand and Australia. They note that while some farmers struggle with financial management, there are initiatives underway to provide education and one-on-one assistance to help them better understand their finances and make more informed decisions. The speakers emphasize the need to continue addressing this challenge, as improved financial literacy can lead to better relationships, less stress, and more successful farming operations. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing the practical and strategic aspects of farm management. While bookkeeping and compliance tasks are necessary, the speakers suggest that farmers should delegate these to specialists, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities like budgeting, benchmarking, and strategic decision-making. This can help farmers develop their leadership skills and move their businesses forward. Additionally, the speakers acknowledge the need to support farmers' mental health, noting that while awareness has improved, the delivery of mental health services in rural communities remains a challenge that requires further attention. The speakers discuss the challenges of accessing mental health services in regional and rural communities, where there is often a lack of consistent healthcare providers and limited local resources. They highlight the potential of telehealth and technology to improve access, but acknowledge that barriers still exist, especially for those with poor connectivity. The speakers emphasize the importance of promoting and raising awareness of the mental health services that are available in local communities, tailored to the unique needs and experiences of farmers and rural residents. Overall, the discussion focuses on finding innovative ways to better support the mental health and wellbeing of people living in regional and rural areas. The speakers emphasize the critical importance of supporting the people who work in the agriculture industry, as they are the industry's most valuable asset. They note that while technology and mechanization can help, human labor and expertise are essential for the industry to thrive. The speakers encourage more collaboration and open dialogue across the agriculture sector to better support farmers, farm workers, and others, as this will benefit the entire industry and the country as a whole. They also provide advice for individuals who may be struggling, encouraging them to reach out for help and support, even if it's difficult to do so within their immediate circle. Sarah, a guest on the podcast, shares her inspiring story of overcoming dyslexia to pursue challenging research work. Despite the difficulties, she has embraced her learning difference as a strength, finding great reward in pushing herself to achieve her goals. Sarah encourages others with learning challenges to not let them hold them back, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and the sense of accomplishment that comes from facing and overcoming obstacles. The host expresses admiration for Sarah's commitment and looks forward to discussing the key insights from her research project in the future. Sarah Crosswhite, a pioneering researcher, discusses the critical issue of mental health and well-being among farmers. The podcast explores how financial stress, climatic variability, and government regulations impact the lives of farmers. Sarah's work aims to provide valuable insights and support to this essential community, and the host looks forward to a follow-up discussion to share key takeaways from the ongoing research. The episode encourages listeners to engage with the Profitable Farmer podcast and community to continue the important conversation around supporting the mental health and success of farmers.