January 12, 2015
Counsellor Karen Seiler, from Wooroolin, is one of seven farmer representatives appointed to guide a new national group promoting a digital project aimed at helping to beat rural suicide.
The “Ripple Effect” is being funded by beyondblue and donations from the Movember Foundation.
Spokesperson Dr Susan Brumby said a safe, online platform was being developed where male farmers could feel comfortable about sharing their experiences – whether this was losing someone to suicide, having thoughts about attempting to commit suicide themselves, or caring for someone who had attempted suicide.
“The point of the Ripple Effect is that through our website, farmers can share their stories of what has helped them, learn from others and take action to make positive changes to their own health and well-being,” Dr Brumby said.
The aim is to overcome the stigma which contributes to the ongoing cycle of suicide risk.
“Participation in the Ripple Effect will be anonymous and will allow farmers to ask questions and share their experiences with their peers either through video, written word or voice, in addition to accessing information about looking after yourself and where you can find support,” Dr Brumby said.
She said the Steering Group brought together representatives from the farming community with some of the leading experts in rural health research and digital design.
As well as Dr Brumby and Karen, the other members of the Steering Group are Alison Fairleigh (Townsville), Sam Haren (Adelaide), Dan Koerner (Melbourne), Maria Parente (Bairnsdale), Nick Shady (Ballarat), Ross Romeo (Ayr), Martin Butler (Teesdale), Steve Junghenn (Maryborough), Katrina Myers (Barham), Kylie Robertson (Melbourne), Tristan-Brumby Rendell (Melbourne), Alison Kennedy (Bochara) and Tom Whutty (Melbourne).
Dr Brumby said the project was about “farmers helping farmers”.
“We know through our own experience that no one tells a story about life on the land, its ups and downs, better than farmers themselves,” she said.
“This is why Ripple Effect will be the first grassroots digital platform where farmers will have direct input into the content and the way in which they share their experience of suicide and mental health recovery.”
She said the group understood that rural communities experience serious disadvantages when it comes to internet speed and connectivity, so the project would adapt its platforms to cater for this wherever possible.
- Feeling distressed? Phone Lifeline on 13-11-14, beyondblue on 1300-224-636 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300-659-467.
