Depression is a common condition which is not always identified and diagnosed and affects men, women and young people.  Depression is more than feeling sad or stressed.

There are a range of behavioural, psychological and physical symptoms that, when experienced together for more than two weeks, may indicate you are depressed. These include:

• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Struggling to get things done at work
• Difficulty concentrating
• Struggling to find things you enjoy
• Feeling overwhelmed, sad, frustrated, guilty and indecisive
• Feelings of failure and worthlessness
• Chronic tiredness
• Weight gain/loss
• Digestive problems
• Getting sick all the time
• Poor sleep

It’s important to realise that we all experience some of these symptoms at some time, so seeking further support and advice is important. Your GP is a good place to start.

The unique factors and experience that can affect farming life can contribute to the development of depression and may also mean it goes untreated. These can include:

• Being in the habit of ‘working it out yourself’, which makes it difficult to seek help when it’s difficult to cope.
• Isolation and limited access to services.
• Finding it difficult to approach local health workers because you may know them socially.
• Practical issues to do with leaving the farm to seek help.
• Financial, climate related and other pressures that may seem insurmountable.
• Particularly for rural women, isolation, exhaustion and postnatal depression are some of the most common contributing factors to poor mental health.

Learn to recognise the symptoms so you seek help when you need it.

Rural issues – alcohol and depression

There is a strong link between excessive alcohol consumption and depression. Self-medication with alcohol is a common, but unsafe and ineffective coping strategy for farmers and other people living in rural and remote areas. Alcohol only masks the symptoms of depression and stress, and can make you feel worse. Support services can assist country people to find other ways to tackle depression.

Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel

References used for this topic page

More information:

Beyond Blue
Depression

The Conversation
What causes depression? What we know, don’t know and suspect

Beyond Blue
Men in rural and remote areas – What causes anxiety and depression in men?

Beyond Blue
Man Facts – Guide to Mind Health

Black Dog Institute
Depression explained

Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD)
Online courses for depression

MindSpot
Online assessment and treatment for depression

Clinical care:

Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD)
Resources for Clinicians

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of mood disorders

Research & reviews:

British Medical Journal (BMJ)
Clinical review: managing and preventing depression in adolescents

Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
Key Programs

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
The mental health of people on Australian farms

World Health Organization (WHO)
Depression