Supporting Mental Health in Rural Communities

Talking about mental health isn’t always easy—especially when you’re not sure what to say. If you’re a supplier or service provider working in a rural setting, you may have noticed when a customer or client isn’t themselves but knowing how to start that conversation can feel overwhelming.

At a time when mental health challenges in farming communities are at an all-time high, RFCS Victoria West & Finwell Support have developed Talk the Talk, a practical workshop designed to equip rural service providers with the confidence and skills to have meaningful conversations about mental health.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone with an investment in their rural community—whether you’re an agronomist, vet, contractor, field officer, financial service provider, health professional, or work in the supply chain. These workshops have already been delivered to a broad cross-section of rural industries.

What You Will Learn

The Talk the Talk workshop covers:

Awareness – Understanding mental health challenges in farming communities and who farmers are most likely to talk to
Observation – Recognising signs that something isn’t right
Strategies & Tools – How to have a conversation, what to say, and how to say it
Responding to Crisis – What to do if the worst happens
Grief & Loss Cycle – Understanding the emotional impact of crisis and change
Protective Factors – Practical ways to check in and offer support

Let’s work together to build safer, more connected rural communities.

Thank you to the event supporters Gardinder Foundation and Agriculture Victoria.