Male Farmers’ Perspectives on Psychological Wellbeing Self-Management Strategies That Work for Them and How Barriers to Seeking Professional Mental Health Assistance Could Be Overcome

Abstract

This research aimed to explore the self-management strategies that Australian male farmers use to improve or maintain their psychological wellbeing and their views on what would assist them to overcome barriers to seeking professional mental health assistance. Individual semi-structured telephone interviews were audio-recorded with consent. Qualitative data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Fifteen male farmers participated, who were an average of thirty-nine years of age (23–74 years) with twenty years of farming experience (5–57 years). Seven themes relating to self-management strategies were identified: (1) interacting with a supportive network; (2) involvement in groups and teams; (3) physical activity; (4) proactively educating themselves; (5) self-prioritising and deliberately maintaining work–life balance; (6) being grateful; and (7) focusing on the controllable aspects of farming. Five themes were identified that related to mitigating barriers to seeking mental health assistance: (1) actively welcoming mental health professionals into the community; (2) normalising help-seeking; (3) making seeking mental health assistance a priority; (4) offering services that are culturally appropriate and accessible for male farmers; and (5) tailoring mental health information delivery to farming populations. Australian male farmers already use strategies to maintain and improve their mental health that are culturally and contextually appropriate. These proactive strategies could form the basis of interventions aiming to further promote male farmers’ wellbeing. Barriers to seeking professional mental health assistance may be overcome by implementing solutions directly suggested by male farmers. Given the elevated risk of suicide in this group, investment in trialing promotion of these strategies is warranted.

Farmer’s mental health and well-being: Qualitative findings on protective factors

“…These findings are consistent with studies conducted by Woolford et al . ; [ 25 ] Shrivastava and Desousa [ 26 ] and Padhy and Pattanayak. [ 27 ] Woolford et al .…”

“…[ 27 ] Woolford et al . [ 25 ] emphasized the importance of farmers proactively educating themselves on topics related to well-being, while Shrivastava discussed the protective approach to resilience, whereby individuals employ specific mechanisms or measures to maintain their mental health. It is also noteworthy that two participants highlighted the significance of formal education in cultivating these skills, which underscores its crucial role in preventive interventions.…”

Understanding farmers’ barriers to health and mental health‐related help‐seeking: The development, factor structure, and reliability of the Farmer Help‐Seeking Scale

“…Nonetheless, the FHSS provides a potential avenue for the investigation of barriers to help‐seeking on a larger scale than previous qualitative research. A greater understanding of these issues is key to the subsequent development of strategies and interventions to increase help‐seeking in this at‐risk group, 78 so that we can support farmers’ health and wellbeing, and help them maintain their productivity at work, where this is desired.…”

‘It sort of broke me’: A thematic analysis of the psychological experiences and coping strategies employed by Australian fire‐affected farmers

“…13 Farmers are also known to be half as likely to seek professional help for psychological distress as non-farmers, 14 potentially due to a lack of access to appropriate services, 3 as well as attitudinal barriers such as fear of stigma, stoicism and lack of trust in health professionals. [15][16][17] Research on the psychological impact of drought has highlighted that farmers' levels of distress are heightened during calamitous natural events. 18 However, little specific research has been done to explore the psychological challenges experienced by farmers after they have experienced a fire on their farm.…”

“…Possible reasons for this increased suicide risk include farmers' greater access to means such as firearms 13 . Farmers are also known to be half as likely to seek professional help for psychological distress as non‐farmers, 14 potentially due to a lack of access to appropriate services, 3 as well as attitudinal barriers such as fear of stigma, stoicism and lack of trust in health professionals 15–17 …”