LOCAL business professionals will participate in a suicide prevention program in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.
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The program is called SCARF and stands for suspect, connect, ask, refer and follow-up.
Coordinator, Meg Perceval, said rather than trying to target specific farmers for the program, it was decided to work with business professionals who regularly engage with farmers.
“In small towns such as Moree there is a trusting relationship between businesses and farmers, and each business would have around 50 to 100 farmers they are in regular contact with, so it’s an easier way to indirectly target farmers who may be at risk of suicide,” she said.
The program not only educates business professionals of the warning signs of suicide but also focuses on the businesses and individuals’ health and wellbeing.
“The first half of the program is all about your health and wellbeing. In a lot of cases bank workers are the ones who have to deliver the bad news to farmers which can cause distress and take a toll on the worker, so we start by focusing on the individual,” Ms Perceval said.
Topics such as diet, sleep, exercise and social connection will be discussed, not only for the participants’ benefits but also as warning signs to look out for in those who may be experiencing difficult times.
“For instance if you’re an agronomist going out to visit a meticulous farmer and you see weeds all through his crops, then you know something is up,” she said.
Farm-Link project support officer, Fiona Livingstone, said a lot of the time business professionals would already be doing some of the actions asked of the SCARF program.
“This program works to assist and give confidence when it comes to suspecting someone may be thinking about suicide. When I first started I’d worry if I did enough for the person, or said the right thing to the person and it would affect me, but now I know I’m taking all the right steps and I’ve done everything possible to help that person,” Ms Livingstone said.
The program was written in 2012, tested in 2013 and has been rolled out throughout the New England North West this year.
WMG Agriservices manager in Moree, Anne Coote will be one of the participants during the program.
She said she had experienced instances where the program could have helped.
“I care for all my clients so it’s second nature to pick up something that may not be normal for them to do or be worried if they say something unusual,” she said.
Ms Coote thought it was fantastic that the program also focused on individuals’ wellbeing to make the work place a happier environment.
“SCARF is providing us with the tool kit to strengthen our health and wellbeing and if, by undertaking this program, we reduce suicide I think it’s a genuinely positive thing for the whole community,” she said.
If you are a business professional who is interested in participating in the program contact Fiona Livingstone on 0407 072 105.
Or, if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide call 131 114.