GRAIN Producers SA (GPSA) has taken a leadership role in addressing mental health challenges arising from the drought across regional South Australian areas, initiating and co-ordinating a state-wide Mental Health Roundtable. 

The roundtable, held in Adelaide in March, brought together key mental health professionals, regional support organisations, and agricultural leaders to identify existing services, current gaps, and future mental health and wellbeing needs of farmers, with the state continuing to battle the challenging conditions from the drought. 

GPSA chair John Gladigau, who chaired the roundtable, said the collaborative discussion was an important step toward ensuring regional communities are better supported. 

“(GPSA) recognises that mental health is as vital as physical safety when it comes to supporting South Australian farmers,” Mr Gladigau said. 

“We were pleased to bring together representatives from across the agriculture sector, psychology and rural health to share what’s working, identify where the gaps are, and importantly, talk about what support is needed over the next six to 12 months.” 

Representatives from GPSA, Rural Business Support (RBS), ifarmwell, Primary Producers SA (PPSA), Livestock SA, PIRSA, SA Health, Rural Aid, Mentally Fit EP, Farm Life Psych, the National Centre for Farmer Health, Fat Farmers, and more, contributed to the conversation, with a focus on co-ordinating services. 

“There was strong agreement around the importance of investing in programs that have already proven to work on the ground and other community-driven initiatives,” Mr Gladigau said. 

“But we also heard loud and clear that as drought persists, the need for practical, farmer-led support and early intervention services will only grow. 

“This roundtable was about more than just talking. 

“It was about ensuring that what’s being fed into Government – including the Minister’s Drought Advisory Committee – reflects the real needs and lived experience of South Australian farmers.”