Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Australian Farmers Muddled in Mental Health Crisis

Phil Mercer

   SYDNEY - Advocates are warning of an "epidemic" of mental health
   problems and suicide among Australian farmers. Isolation, financial
   pressures and the impact of drought are all part of the problem.

   Seven days a week, Joe Meggetto is up before dawn on his dairy farm
   near the town of Warragul, 100 kilometers southeast of Melbourne in
   southern Australia.

   He is the son of Italian migrants. He's tough and hard working, but for
   years he has battled the demons of mental illness.

   "I used to carry a bullet around in my pocket and I remember talking to
   my brother one day on the road just here, I was bringing the cows home
   on the road and I was talking to him and I was angry at the time and I
   kept this bullet in my pocket all the time," he said. "And I got the
   bullet out and said to my brother -- I showed it to him -- and I said
   one day I'm going to bloody blow my head off, you know. I was really
   down in the dumps and by that afternoon I was milking the cows and
   before I knew it there were two policemen at the milking shed and they
   pulled me out of the shed and they had a bit of a talk and before I
   knew it the guns were seized."

   Counseling, support from the community and small doses of medication
   have helped Joe to fight his mental illness. Advocates believe much
   more needs to be done to help those struggling to cope on Australian
   farms.

   Higher suicide rates

   Suicide rates for male farm workers are reported to be twice those for
   the general population.

   Lia Bryant is an associate professor from the University of South
   Australia.

.