Philip Case01 August 2026
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Farmers speaking openly about depression, grief and isolation are at the heart of a new Australian campaign that could offer lessons for UK agriculture
The five-part video series, developed by the University of Adelaide’s ifarmwell team, features farmers sharing their experiences of mental ill health in a bid to break down stigma and encourage others to seek support
Organisers say hearing directly from fellow farmers makes the message more credible and relatable than traditional awareness campaigns
South Australian farmer Ashley Schmidt, who appears in the videos, said seeking help transformed his outlook after years of personal loss and mounting farming pressures
“I was trying to help everyone else, but I wasn’t who I wanted to be,” he said
“By taking the step to look after myself, I’ve come out a better person, someone who’s able to be there for everyone around me.”
The initiative comes as mental wellbeing remains a key issue for UK farming families facing ongoing financial pressures, extreme weather and uncertainty
The campaign’s organisers hope the videos will encourage more farmers to seek help early and start conversations within their communities
The wellbeing initiative is funded by the South Australian Government’s Drought Response Support Package
You can watch the videos on the Weather it together website
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