Mental health and wellbeing support
Look Over the Farm Gate community grants
The statewide ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ program provides grants of up to $5,000 to local groups across Victoria as part of the Drought Support Package.
The Victorian Government has announced additional funding for the program, which will reopen for applications on Monday 2 February 2026, with events to be held by 30 June 2026.
These grants help farming communities organise events and activities to support mental health and wellbeing and bring people together. The focus is on helping farmers and their families who are under stress.
The program is managed by the National Centre for Farmer Health on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Go to the National Centre for Farmer Health website for more details about the program.
Mental health resources from the National Centre for Farmer Health
The National Centre for Farmer Health offers free resources to support your wellbeing:
- 'Managing Stress on the Farm’ book, with practical tips for common farm stressors and the the Steering Straight plan
- Online support Hub – Resources for managing tough times.
RFCS wellbeing counsellors
The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) offers free, confidential wellbeing support alongside their usual financial and business counselling support. Wellbeing counsellors can visit you at your property or talk over the phone to assist with mental health and wellbeing issues for your or your family.
Funding has been provided to support the appointment of 3 RFCS wellbeing officers to be located in Gippsland, the North East and the North West. These positions are in addition to the position already funded in the South West.
To access the support of a wellbeing counsellor, call the Rural Financial Counselling Service on 1300 771 741.
Resource directory
Find a full list of local health and wellbeing services in our resource directory.
Royal Flying Doctor Service – Flying Doctor Wellbeing
Flying Doctor Wellbeing is a free mental health and wellbeing service for people in some rural and remote Victorian communities. It provides access to mental health consultations to people in their local communities.
More information is available at Flying Doctor Wellbeing.
Call (03) 8412 0480
Email wellbeing@rfds.vic.gov.au
GPs and community health care providers
If in need of support during difficult times, visit your local Doctor (GP).
Community health services also provide a range of primary health care services that could include acute hospital care, medical centre, home and community care, district nursing, women’s health, allied health services (podiatry, occupational therapy etc.), counselling, pharmacy, referrals. Contact your GP or local Community Health service.
Lifeline
Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Call 131 144
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue is a 24/7 telephone information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health.
Call 1300 224 636
Rural Aid
Rural Aid offers free, confidential counselling to Rural Aid registered farmers and their families.
Call 1300 327 624
Email contact@ruralaid.org.au