Farmers given mental health hampers

“When COVID-19 came, we were hit pretty hard in the first round not knowing what classed as essential services and more than 99 per cent of my clientele closed up, so I had no business,” she said.

When Mrs Noble heard a friend had attempted suicide, she felt she had to do more to help farmers who were struggling with the stresses of the coronavirus.

This led to the creation of the mental health hampers and from there, Mrs Noble was delivering 20 hampers per week in the first lockdown — all out of her own pocket.

Fast forward to today, where there are 67 business owners and 12 stakeholders involved in the project, including mental health organisations Beyond Blue, Headspace, Dolly's Dream and Talk It Out Murray PHN.

Inside the hampers, farmers will find treats such as Grampians olive oil, Olsson's salt, Bendigo brittle, Farmer Jo muesli, Red Dog Chillies and Future Bake biscuits.

Along with nourishment for the body, the hampers are full of mental health advice with contact information for support.

About 450 hampers have been delivered across Loddon and Campaspe regions but Mrs Noble said pride was a major inhibitor to farmers getting the support they needed.

“There’s so many that say there’s someone else who needs it more, but they do need it — they just don’t want to have to admit they do,” she said.

“Mental health doesn’t judge or care what background you have, and neither does COVID-19 — the two go together unfortunately.

“It’s okay not to be okay is the key message we're trying to get across.”

Those who know someone who is struggling or who are struggling themselves can be nominated to receive a free hamper.

Mrs Noble said she had received requests from as far as South Australia and Western Australia.

“We get a lot of thank you cards in the mail and we stick them all on a board and we get the odd gift,” she said.

To contact Mrs Noble, phone 0439 374 549, email theagrifoodnetworkvic@gmail.com or visit The Agri-Food Network on Facebook.