Rapid change, climate adversity and the next 'big dry': older farmers' mental health

Objective: To describe the experiences of older farmers in the face of prolonged drought and rapid change. Design: Content analysis of issues and priorities raised in semi‐structured community forums. Setting: Rural centres in NSW. Participants: One hundred and fifty older farmers, their families, Industry and Investment NSW, rural financial and mental health services, the Country Women's Association and other non‐government agencies. Intervention: Five public forums organised under the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program. Results: Prolonged drought caused pressures on farmers that compounded the usual stresses of farming and of ageing. These were experienced in the context of rapid social and industry change, fuel price volatility and the insidious threat of climate change. Three main themes were articulated: loss, government compliance pressures and difficulties accessing and/or inappropriate services. Conclusion: Older farmers felt an overwhelming sense of loss: of profitability and professional success, community status, physical well‐being and comfort, the ability to participate in the modern world and, above all, of relationships (partners, children and friends moving away). They interpreted government compliance requirements as evidence of community and government loss of trust in famers. They resisted using the few mental health services that might be available, fearing being labelled as ‘crazy’ and discouraged by the culturally inappropriate way in which services were offered. Older farmers would benefit from joint services related to health and well‐being simultaneously with modern business management offered in trusted, comfortable settings.