NEW INITIATIVE LOOKS BEYOND MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING TO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Ever had a conversation with someone that left you thinking, “I’m a bit worried about them”?
The Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC) is exploring a new approach to help local businesses, sporting clubs, volunteer groups and community organisations take the next steps when faced with that question.
Southern Forests: Recognise. Respond. Refer. program, supported through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) In a Good Place program, will combine existing evidence-based mental health training with a practical organisational package participants can take back, adapt and adopt within their own workplace, club or organisation.
SFFC Project Lead El Linz said the idea emerged after SFFC staff undertook mental health training themselves.
“The training gave us greater confidence to recognise when someone may need support, get a sense of how urgently they might need it, have an appropriate conversation and understand where we might refer them,” Ms Linz said.
“But afterwards we started asking different questions. If one of our staff has a conversation with a farmer that leaves them genuinely concerned, what happens within SFFC? Should they tell someone? When should it be escalated? What should our organisation do, and how do we support the staff member who had that conversation?”
The SFFC team decided to look for a suitable process to adopt within the organisation.
“There are excellent training programs, evidence-based resources and referral services already available. What we struggled to find was something simple that helped a small rural organisation put all of that into practice when the person we're concerned about isn't necessarily an employee.”
That distinction became increasingly important through SFFC's Mental Health Gateway Strategy consultations and the recent AgriBalance+ and Accidental Counsellor workshops delivered by Holyoake in Manjimup.
“In country communities, the lines aren't always as neat as employee, customer, neighbour or friend,” Ms Linz said.
“The person who fixes your machinery might also coach your kids. Someone you deal with through work might play footy with you, volunteer beside you or sit down next to you at the pub one night and tell you what's really going on.
“Most of us can probably remember a conversation that's stayed with us afterwards. You wonder if they're okay, decide you'll check in again or think, ‘I'm a bit worried about them.”
“Training can give that person the confidence to respond. We're exploring whether we can also give relevant organisations a simple way to support them in what happens next.”
The proposed package could include an adaptable guide for assessing urgency and escalating concerns, conversation guidance, referral pathways and support for staff or volunteers following difficult conversations.
It would not replace existing mental health services or training, nor is it intended to make businesses and community organisations responsible for providing mental health care.
Instead, the SFFC is exploring whether giving organisations a practical way to embed existing training could help more people participate in training and strengthen the many informal opportunities for early support that already exist across the Southern Forests.
SFFC Acting Chair Monica Radomiljac said the initiative built on one of the Southern Forests community’s greatest strengths – the way people already look out for each other.
“We know these conversations matter, particularly in rural communities where people can be under enormous pressure and may not always seek formal support. Often, the most important conversations happen naturally – at work, over a glass of wine, after sport, or when people get together socially. If we can give more people the confidence to recognise when someone may need support and know what to do next, we can build on the connections already around us and strengthen our community’s ability to look out for each other.”
The SFFC has sought input from local health, mental health, general practice and human services stakeholders and is now inviting businesses, sporting clubs, grower groups, associations, volunteer organisations and community groups across the Southern Forests to express their interest.
Training and organisational resources would be provided free of charge. Participating organisations would be asked to support staff to attend or invite interested volunteers to participate.
Businesses, clubs and organisations interested in participating or providing feedback can contact SFFC at el@southernforestsfood.com or 08 9772 4180.
Contact: El Linz
Southern Forests Food Council
The SFFC acknowledges the State Government for its crucial support, with a $725,000 investment over two and a half years announced back in October 2023. This funding has been vital in enabling the SFFC to continue delivering programs that strengthen local growers, enhance the Genuinely Southern Forests brand, and build a more resilient and sustainable future for the region.
Notes to Editors
The Southern Forests region is one of Western Australia’s most productive food-growing areas.
The Southern Forests Food Council is the regional industry body representing growers and producers across the Southern Forests.
The Gen Fresh campaign promotes the people, produce and provenance behind the Genuinely Southern Forests regional brand.
The campaign launches in March 2026 across television, digital and retail channels.
Contact: Laura Bolitho Southern Forests Food Council laura@southernforestsfood.com Website: http://www.southernforestsfood.com Facebook: Genuinely Southern Forests Instagram: @genuinelysouthernforests LinkedIn: Southern Forests Food Council |
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