You’ve taken the first step in supporting your community. Weathering Well is an innovative digital-mental health and wellbeing tool. It is designed for those Australian farming communities experiencing adversity from drought and other climatic events.
What is Weathering Well?
Weathering Well provides a structured ‘low-intensity’ mental health, wellbeing, and alcohol and drug intervention using strength-based motivational interviewing techniques. It is specifically designed to support the wellbeing of Australian farmers, growers and graziers.
Facilitators trained in the use of Weathering Well guide participants through a conversation about their strengths and their concerns, and support their setting goals to improve their own wellbeing. It also acts as an opportunity to highlight each individual’s supportive social network including family, friends and services.
Weathering Well is now available on Google Play and App Store and is compatible with smartphones (Android and iOS), iPads and tablets. See the link in the top right of this screen to download onto your device.
Weathering Well is designed for guided use with a trained facilitator for people within the farming community, rather than as a “self-help app”. It is not designed for use with participants who are experiencing acute or severe mental health crises or suicidality. If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health or suicide crisis support please contact the appropriate option below.
Most Weathering Well facilitators will require training in the use of the tool. Menzies School of Health Research has collaborated with a range of Primary Health Networks in the development of online Weathering Well Training. To indicate your interest or for more information on the online training please send a request (as below).
Funded under the Australian Government’s Empowering Our Communities drought-response program, the Weathering Well Tool has been specifically customised for use with farming communities impacted by the lengthy widespread drought and vulnerable to/or experiencing mental health, wellbeing, and drug and alcohol issues.
‘Weathering Well’ has been specifically adapted from an existing well-tested and well-regarded mental health and substance use digital application for Indigenous Australians; the Stay Strong App designed and evaluated by Menzies School of Health Research (‘Menzies’) as part of its wider e-mental health research program
Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) initiated development of Weathering Well in collaboration with Menzies, and with the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network. Importantly, development of the tool has drawn on the expertise of graziers, growers, rural financial counsellors, digital mental health researchers, mental health clinicians and IT specialists from Queensland and New South Wales via a Development Advisory Group.
Menzies retains the intellectual property to the tool, while granting WQPHN a free, non-exclusive and perpetual licence for non-commercialisation purposes.
Beyond Blue
aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours / 7 days a week
Kids Helpline
provides free 24/7 confidential and private counseling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800.
Lifeline
provides 24-hour crisis counseling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14.
Mens Line Australia
is a professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week
Suicide Call Back Service
provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.
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