01 October 2026

Mental Health in Tough Seasons – Get Ahead Of It

When tough seasons hit, the pressure doesn’t stop at the farmgate, or the balance sheet, and the Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland (RFCS-SQ) invites primary producers to get ahead of the mental health impacts during their upcoming free webinar: Mental Health in Tough Seasons – Get Ahead of It.

The seasonal outlook, prolonged dry conditions and the financial pressure and uncertainty this can bring often takes an unspoken toll on rural families. When tough seasons hit, it is easy to focus entirely on the farm, stock, and the bottom line and leave your own mental wellbeing on the back burner.

Hosted by RFCS-SQ Rural Program Manager Kim Corfield, this month’s episode brings together a panel of experienced wellbeing and mental health professionals including Small Business Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland (SBFCS-SQ) Wellbeing Program Coordinator and Coach Katherine Watson, Royal Flying Doctors (RFDS) Clinical Psychologist Dr Tim Driscoll and Clinical Nurse Consultant Kristie Lambert who works within the Queensland Government’s Tackling Regional Adversity through Connected Communities (Darling Downs Health – TRACC Program).

Rural Program Manager Kim Corfield said that during her nineteen years of service with the RFCS-SQ she has often seen the emotional toll that financial pressure can take on farmers and that is it never too early to talk.

‘When you’re under financial pressure, it can be difficult to separate what’s happening to your business from how you feel about yourself.

‘You do not have to wait for things to hit crisis point before asking for help and this webinar will unpack the warning signs and the options available to primary producers to seek help early when they sense their emotional wellbeing coming under pressure.’

Dr Tim Driscoll is a Clinical Psychologist and General Manager of Mental Health with the RFDS Queensland Section. His work focuses on mental health and wellbeing in rural and remote communities, and he said that living on the land often means that primary producers are reliant on solving their own problems – but there is help available.

‘Living on the land often means being used to solving problems yourself. Reaching out for support can be another practical step in looking after yourself, your family and your business.

‘You don’t need to have all the answers to start a helpful conversation. Making time, listening and staying connected can make it easier for someone to ask for support’, he said.

For primary producers admitting to being under mental pressure can be overwhelming, but not putting your mental health first, means you are putting your family and your livelihood second or event last.

With a passion for rural mental health, Small Business Wellbeing Coach Katherine Watson has provided wellbeing support to many primary producers and small business owners to help build skills and strategies, improve decision-making and learn how to adapt in times of change. 

‘Running your business should not cost you your health, that’s why looking after your business means looking after yourself’, she said.

Webinar guest and Clinical Nurse Consultant Kristie Lambert has worked in the Darling Downs Health – TRACC Program since 2019 and says that a multi-agency approach is needed to truly meet the needs of rural communities.

‘Not one agency can do everything for everyone.  

‘It’s important to leave egos at the door, roll up your sleeves, and work together’, she said.                                   

Established by Queensland Health in 2015, the Darling Downs Health – TRACC Program is a suicide prevention program, working with farming, rural and regional communities affected by drought and adversities. 

The RFCS-SQ understands that it is in many ways a brave and difficult decision to seek help. But by taking a proactive step as early as possible, primary producers will soon see they are far from alone.

Primary producers are responding to tougher economic conditions by reaching out for independent, practical and impartial support that is making a real difference to their financial and personal outlook.

Get Ahead of It is for primary producers to do exactly that – giving them the confidence to seek the help that is available particularly before financial, business or personal pressures risk becoming a significant crisis. Register for the webinar on 15 October at 12pm at www.getaheadofit.org.au. Participants will be able to watch either live or on-demand, with interactive Q&A sessions during the broadcasts from industry experts.

About webinar guest, Dr Tim Driscoll

Dr Tim Driscoll is a Clinical Psychologist and General Manager of Mental Health with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section). His work focuses on mental health and wellbeing in rural and remote communities. Having grown up on a sheep and cattle property in Western Australia, Tim brings a personal understanding of life on the land, and the barriers people can face when seeking support. This background informs his commitment to making mental health care accessible and relevant to people living outside major centres. Read more here.

About webinar guest, Kristie Lambert

Kristie Lambert is a general and mental health trained Registered Nurse, commencing her nursing career in Port Hedland in 1992. Kristie was born in Perth, W.A, and spent her formative years, growing up in rural/remote Western Australia.   Kristie has nursed in rural, remote, regional towns in Western Australia and predominately Queensland.  Kristie learnt early, the difficulty rural and remote communities face, with access to adequate health services, which influenced her choice of career in nursing.  After years of working in hospitals and community-based teams, Kristie has had the most job satisfaction working in the Darling Downs Health – TRACC Program (Tackling Regional Adversity through Connected Communities) since June 2019.  The TRACC Program was established by QLD Health in 2015, and is a suicide prevention program, working with farming/rural/regional communities affected by drought and adversities.  Kristie has lived and worked through multiple adversities including cyclones, floods, bushfires, workplace disasters, pandemics, border closures, and droughts, and believes life experiences assist with helping local communities through tough times. The best part of her role is working and consulting with communities and collaborating with other agencies, for the benefit of the communities. 

About webinar guest, Katherine Watson

Katherine Watson is a Business Wellbeing Coach and the Program Co-ordinator for the Business Wellbeing Support Service across Southern Queensland.  In this role Katherine has provided wellbeing support to a number of primary producers and small business owners to help build skills and strategies, improve decision-making and learn how to adapt in times of change.  With a passion for rural mental health, Katherine’s previous work at Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland has seen her provide support to drought affected communities and delivering community psychoeducational programs. Read more here

About webinar host, Kim Corfield

Kim is the Rural Financial Counselling Service’s Rural Program Manager, based in Biggenden. She supports Wide Bay Burnett primary producers in North Burnett, Wide Bay and surrounding areas. Read more here.

About Business & Rural Solutions

Business & Rural Solutions (BRS) t/a Rural Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland is a leading not-for-profit organisation focused on being the preferred provider of valuable support to rural and small businesses and their communities. Commencing in 1999, we have continuously partnered with local, state and federal government and philanthropic bodies to undertake proactive service delivery that empowers the rural and small business sectors.

BRS owns and manages the programs of its primary brands, including RFCS Southern Queensland, Small Business Financial Counselling Service Southern Queensland (SBFCSSQ), and Rural Solutions Queensland (RSQ).