Men’s mental health and wellbeing

This webinar, hosted by Steve Trumbull, focuses on mental health and wellbeing, particularly in men in rural Australia. The panel includes Warren Davies, who shares his lived experience as a farmer; Mary O'Brien, a mental health advocate; David Walker, a rural GP; and Dr. Tim Driscoll, a clinical psychologist with the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The discussion revolves around a case study of "Charlie," a 59-year-old farmer facing drought, financial pressures, relationship breakdown, and potential loss of his family's generational farm. The panelists discuss the unique challenges faced by rural men, including stoicism, isolation, access to firearms, and the difficulty of seeking help. They emphasize the importance of community support, understanding the rural mindset, and adapting approaches to mental health care to suit this specific demographic, including practical advice for GPs and friends on how to engage and support men like Charlie.