The program has been developed as wellbeing and suicide prevention education for the community called SCARF (S: suspect, C: connect, A: ask, R: refer and F: follow-up) which aims to increase help seeking for mental ill-health and improve mental health in rural communities.

It also teaches people the understanding and skills necessary to identify when someone may not be travelling so well, and how to assist them in the first instance.

SCARF has a focus on suicide prevention. 

The program has been delivered to over 700 participants, and has undergone rigorous evaluation. Participants have included farmers, an array of professionals who work with farmers such as bankers, accountants, stock and station agents, agronomists and shearers, as well as people living in rural and remote communities.

The program will be held from 10am at New England Medicare Local.

This training is free and is suitable for everyone in the community. People living and working on farms, or professionals who work with farmers are strongly encouraged to attend.

The Farm-Link project is funded under the Commonwealth Department of Health’s National Suicide Prevention Program.

Farm-Link aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people living and working on farms and for those people living in rural and remote communities.

For further information or to RSVP (by March 12) contact Carmel O’Sullivan on 0419 707 211.

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone else, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.