Yass' accidental counsellors provide relief to drought-affected farmers

The workshop will cover a five-stage helping process, self-care strategies and referral.

"Most people are doing this without realising," said Dianne Kitcher, CEO of Coordinare - South East NSW Primary Health Network, which is organising the workshop.

"The workshop will advise people how to give better support or give people the confidence that they are already doing the right thing."

The workshop was run in Tathra after the 2018 bushfires and was really well-received, Ms Kitcher said.

As the drought continues to challenge rural communities, many individuals and organisations in the Yass Valley have undergone similar training to give guidance to farmers and their families dealing with uncertainty, stress and anxiety.

Yass-based grazier Sam Bucknell knows both sides of the coin. He said it would have been difficult to survive the region's worst droughts without talking to his family and friends.

Mr Bucknell recently learned how to identify the signs of a person experiencing emotional distress and to let them know there's help.

"I ask them if they would like to go for a tea or coffee, or have a phone number ready for someone who wants further support," he said.

He said the impact of drought on mental health is only just being realised and that no two people will respond in the same way.

"There's no textbook. The best thing to do is identify the behavioural change quickly," Mr Bucknell said.

In Yass, there is also the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, which supports and links people to mental health services (0407 131 301); Local Land Services can do the same and provide advice on livestock, pastures and more (6118 7700); and the local rural financial counsellor, Fiona Taylor, who offers free financial advice and assistance (0429 057 597).

Coordinare is currently offering grants of up to $30,000 for community organisations in the Yass Valley to run activities that help drought-affected persons. Visit coordinare.org.au/drought.