Tackling stress in tough seasons with Steph Schmidt

Tackling stress in tough seasons with Steph Schmidt

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It was World Mental Health Day on Thursday this week, and rural psychologist Steph Schmidt says it’s important to keep that conversation going. 

"I've had mixed feelings today, I think, because I think it's another one of those days that I don't want it just to be right. We'll talk about mental health today and then we'll forget about it tomorrow," says Steph.

"But it's important to highlight the challenges that are out there and what we need to keep on doing to help our mental health, both at an individual level, but I think also at a kind of community and social level as well."

The mental wellbeing of farmers in drought-stricken South Australia has become a pressing concern. Steph, who is based two hours north of Adelaide, has been working to address the growing emotional toll that farmers face, particularly during one of the state’s driest seasons on record.

 “Pretty much all of agricultural South Australia is on very low or one of its worst years in terms of rainfall and drought. On top of that, almost everywhere got hit with really severe frosts, which has caused significant impacts to crops and livestock feed. There’s not just the financial pressure, but that ongoing stress—the slow buildup of chronic uncertainty, which really starts to take its toll.”

A farmer herself, Steph emphasises the importance of taking proactive steps to build our mental fitness every day rather than waiting for a crisis. 

One of her key messages during these challenging times is that “you are not your farm".

“No matter what’s happened on your farm, if your crops have failed or you haven’t had the outcomes you planned for, that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Your self-worth isn’t actually tied to how well your farm is or isn’t doing.”

Steph also advocates for simple, actionable steps farmers can take to maintain their mental wellbeing, like engaging in small improvements on the farm and taking micro-breaks. 

"My husband and boys are working on just doing fencing every day and those little improvements that don't cost a huge amount, but you get that sense of satisfaction at the end of the day and you're working on improvements as well.

"I'd also like to share that it's not just necessarily getting a break away from the farm, but how you get little, like micro breaks within your day.

"It might just be as simple as stopping and looking around you, because I think when we're on the farm, it's actually pretty spectacular views in that that we get around us. So stopping and getting present to what's actually going on right now and stepping out of the head noise that goes on a lot of the time for ourselves."

As drought conditions continue to worsen, Steph says the need for ongoing mental health conversations and proactive mental fitness remains crucial for farming communities across the country.

Steph produces Farm Life Psych podcast - a go-to spot for stories and lessons from life on the land, accessible and do-able wellbeing tips, and chats with folks who get the farming life, sprinkled with insights on how to keep your head in the game.

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