Farmers Struggle to Access Mental Health Support

New figures show Australian farmers are facing growing mental health pressures while access to support services continues to lag behind the broader community.

Data presented at a National Farmers' Federation and Suicide Prevention Australia parliamentary breakfast has revealed just 14.7% of farmers can easily access mental health care, compared with more than 36% of Australians overall.

Researchers from the University of Canberra say psychological distress among farmers has climbed sharply over the past decade, with around 35% now reporting moderate to high levels of distress.

The figures also show repeated exposure to drought, floods, bushfires and other natural disasters is taking a significant toll, with wellbeing declining as the number of major events experienced increases.

Rising costs are adding further pressure, with more than 70% of farm businesses impacted by higher input prices in recent years.

The National Farmers' Federation is now calling on the Federal Government to invest $50 million over five years into a coordinated national approach to farmer mental health and suicide prevention.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or significant mental distress, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or call Triple Zero in an emergency.