Growers urged to join industry think tanks, as increasing strain on farmers revealed

By Laura Thomas

A deepening mental health crisis is affecting Australian agriculture.

Challenges associated with rising farm costs, natural disaster and ongoing global tension is piling the pressure on farmers and rural communities across the country.

A series of problem-solving think tank events are set to bring olive growers together in the coming months – at a time when many industry members need it most.

The 2026 National Farmer Wellbeing report has just been released, highlighting a growing mental health crisis affecting the sector.

According to the report, farmers have indicated rising levels of stress, emotional strain and psychological distress, reinforcing growing concern about the long-term impact of overlapping financial, operational and environmental pressures on farming communities.

It also raises questions about how Australia supports the long-term sustainability of farming communities, regional resilience and domestic food production in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

Australian Olive Association Chief Executive Officer Michael Southan said the olive industry was one of the most geographically diverse in the country and grower isolation was an unfortunate bi-product.

He urged growers to take advantage of the opportunity to network with their peers at an AOA Olive Industry Think Tank Workshop happening in their state later this year.

Designed for seasoned growers and newcomers alike, the events will bring growers face-to-face in the hope of turning shared challenges into immediate and practical solutions.

“We know that many farmers are facing significant hurdles and declining mental health is a very real and continuing concern for those working in Australian agriculture,” Mr Southan said.

“As the old saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved and the best insight often comes from those who have already been down the same road.

“These events are a great opportunity to take a break from the grove, to engage with other growers and problem-solve – together.”

Find out more or register to attend the WA event here.

Dates for events happening in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania will be released soon, with a comprehensive program overview to be published in the September edition of R&D Insights.

More about the 2026 National Farmer Wellbeing report

The report was commissioned by dairy cooperative Norco and overseen by the Black Dog Institute and confirms what most of us already know – our farmers are doing it tough, with many questioning their future in the sector.

The new data shows:

• More than half of farmers (54%) say they have felt depressed or down in the past two years
• One in three (33%) report worsening mental health over the past 12 months
• In the same 12-month period, almost one in four (24%) say they often or always feel anxious or unable to relax – a significant increase from the previous report

In his report foreword, Black Dog Institute Executive Director and Chief Scientist Prof Samuel Harvey said the new data highlighted the challenges facing rural and regional communities.

“Sadly, over recent years we have seen increasing evidence that the specific intersection of occupational, social, cultural, and environmental stressors experienced by farmers has created a large and growing mental health crisis within Australia’s regional communities.

“… we now have a situation that cannot be ignored.”

But while confronting, Prof Harvey said the new data also showed a clear path forward.

“Farmers know the value of community support. More than two thirds of those surveyed stated that they would be comfortable supporting another farmer experiencing mental health challenges,” he said.

“We need to develop the training programs to upskill and enable regional communities to better support each other. Alongside this, we need to make sure that farmers can access good quality clinical care when needed.

“Australia needs to invest in its mental health care system, so no matter where somebody lives, they can access timely, high-quality professional mental health care when they need it.”

Download the full National Farmer Wellbeing report here.

Find help

• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
• Head Space on 1800 650 890
• Rural Aid Counselling on 1300 175 594

You can also visit the National Centre for Farmer Health website to access a range of mental health resources and information tailored for Australian farmers and agricultural communities.

 

Sources:
2026 National Farmer Wellbeing report
www.australianolives.com.au