Joint media release: Taking Stock: suicide prevention tool for Australia's farmers

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt
Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, the Hon Emma McBride MP

Taking Stock, a free online wellbeing and suicide prevention tool designed by and for Australia’s farmers, is now available.

Suicide rates among farmers in Australia is up to 94% higher than non-farmers. On average, one farmer dies by suicide every 10 days.

Taking Stock hosts multiple resources including films, interviews and podcasts of farmer experiences, information about how to set up a local suicide prevention group, and how to connect and engage with communities for early approaches to suicide prevention. 

Taking Stock was the final stage of a three-year research project led by the University of South Australia - Tailoring Suicide Prevention Strategies for Men in Farming Occupations. 

The University worked with three grassroots community groups—SOS Yorkes in South Australia, Riverina Bluebell in New South Wales, and Mellow in the Yellow (previously Live Rural) in Victoria—to capture local knowledge and lived experience.

More information about Taking Stock is available here takingstock.community 

Quotes attributable to Minister, Murray Watt:

“The pandemic demonstrated the importance of community, and how important a sense of belonging can be to good mental health.

“Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, and I’d strongly encourage farming communities to take a look at the resources available and consider how they might be able to use them in their local area.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister, Emma McBride:

“This resource has been built from the ground up with direct input from farmers on what could help prevent suicide and boost wellbeing in their communities. 
 
“I thank those who gave their time for the extensive interviews which helped create the digital and print resources designed with locals and community groups in mind.

“I warmly welcome Taking Stock which provides 24-hour access to resources tailored to the needs of Australia’s farmers.”