AIM: Drought is a chronic, recurring natural disaster. Such disasters have effects through entire communities. The impact of drought and other environmental changes on mental health are not clearly known, nor are the most effective ways of ameliorating those impacts. This study is the first phase of an in-depth, community-based research project into the effects of drought on rural Australian communities, and the development of strategies to improve the access to improve mental health facilities. METHOD: Participants in this investigation were drawn from five groups in a town in the central west of NSW: farmers (male and female), individuals from non-farm businesses, agriculture support workers, local health- and mental healthcare providers serving this population. Focus groups and individual interviews explored the mental health impact and community response to the drought within the following domains: impact of drought; availability and use of health services; psychological distress; impact on the expectations of the future of the community; individual, family and community mental health needs. RESULTS: Qualitative data analysis highlights the impact of uncertainty, farming bureaucracy, perceived restriction of lifestyle and future options, and distress caused by loss associated with prolonged drought. Analysis also identified important differences across groups in the impact, perceived mental health needs and patterns of help-seeking. CONCLUSIONS: The mental health response to drought should be carried out in conjunction with other service providers, especially front-line agricultural support workers. To enhance the mental health service capacity of rural communities and focus on improving farmers’ access to care, the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health is conducting a research program evaluating training and primary care service development in collaboration with rural organisations and health services across NSW.
Royal Australian & NZ College of Psychiatrists Joint CINP/ASPR Scientific Meeting. Abstracts for the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Joint CINP/ASPR Scientific Meeting (Presented in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 39 Suppl. 2) (Brisbane, Qld 7–9 December, 2005) p. A85-A85