Working the land comes with a host of worries, drought, no water allocations, a viral pandemic and now worries about exports as China flexes its trade muscles.
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For farmers worried about these issues, as well as many more, sometimes a conversation is all it takes to help.
It's where Griffith-based social worker Max Nixon steps in to have a yarn at the farm gate - he's part of the Farming Community Counselling team.
For the last 12 months, he's worked with farmers and farming families impacted by the drought around the MIA., as well as Hillston, Lake Cargelligo and Narrandera.
Mr Nixon isn't a farmer but comes from the land and understands some of the challenges farmers face each day.
The many variables that need to be managed can sometimes have an impact on people's wellbeing.
"You adapt to these changing conditions and you feel like you're getting on top of it, and then there's something else which starts happening," he said.
"This is all happening on the back of one of the worst droughts we've had in living memory."
Even when things are going well, the strain of keeping on top of everything can be tough and each person responded diffirently.
For example, he said signs that someone might not be coping could be getting up at 8.30am and dreading getting the work done, when previously that same person might normally be up at 5am and have some of the day's work done before breakfast.
"You're not getting jobs done, but you're seeing all yesterday's jobs, today's and and next week's jobs piling up," he said.
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Mr Nixon said some people recognised what was happening and they could ask for help because they'd experienced it before or families might notice something had changed.
"Come and have a yarn - that's where it starts," he said.
Having one conversation was the start of finding ways for people to overcome the feelings of depression or anxiety and Mr Nixon said there were plenty of ways and ideas which could help.
It might be structured and involve clinical work, or it could be identifying an activity that helps.
Mr Nixon said one person found walking with his flock of sheep in the morning was everything he needed to do, for others it could be planning a camping trip.
The Farming Community Counselling team is a free service to access, and has had their funding extended for another 12 months.
Mr Nixon said there was a team of social workers, a nurse and occupational therapist based around the Murrumbidgee Local Health District area who could help.
"We work together as a team, a team of excellent country-based clinicians," he said.
"We all have experience of having lived in the country and we recognise that there are stressors going on, and we've got some skills that we can help people with."
The Farming Community Counselling team can be contacted on 0436 811 692 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
