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 for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
The Victorian Government has announced additional funding for the program, which will reopen for applications on Friday 16 January 2026, with events to be held by 30 June 2026.
These grants help support farming communities experiencing stress and overwhelm and bring people together. The focus is on helping farmers and their families navigate their recovery together as a community.
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 Steering Straight plan
- Online support Hub – Resources for managing tough times.
Rural Financial Counselling Services wellbeing counsellors
The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) offers free, confidential wellbeing support alongside their usual financial and business counselling support. Wellbeing counsellors are available to visit bushfire-affected producers and their families at their property or over the phone to assist with mental health and wellbeing issues.
Funding has been provided to support the appointment a RFCS wellbeing officer in each region serviced by the RFCS.
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.
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