Rural
21 May, 2025
Urgent Appeal to Support Farmer Mental Health Plight
This tax time, Rural Aid is calling on Australians to act—because no farmer should face hardship alone.
Right now, farmers across rural Australia are silently battling mental health challenges. Drought, floods, rising costs and isolation are pushing many to breaking point. Farmers die by suicide at rates 59% higher than the national average. Nearly half have experienced thoughts of self-harm or suicide, yet many suffer in silence.
These aren’t just numbers—they’re lives, families, and communities. It’s time to step up.
Rural Aid is providing vital mental health services to rural Australians, including crisis counselling, ongoing support, and community resilience programs. But we need your help to do more.
“Access to mental healthcare in the bush is often limited or non-existent,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters. “We must close this critical gap.”
Farmer Carol Hill from Coraki, NSW, shared how Rural Aid changed her life after years of drought, bushfires and floods.
“Farmers are strong, but sometimes we need support too,” she said. “Without Rural Aid reaching out, I probably would have gone under.”
While 75% of farmers say they’d reach out to a counsellor, 38% can’t access services. Rural Aid’s mental health team is working to change that.
A donation this tax time helps deliver free, professional support to those who need it most.
Support mental health in the bush. Donate today:
https://taxtime.ruralaid.org.au
About Rural Aid:
Australia’s leading rural charity, Rural Aid provides critical support including mental health services, hay, domestic water, and community programs—partnering with farmers to build stronger, more resilient futures.
