Wellbeing and safety during drought

Looking after yourself and others

Drought can place a lot of pressure on you, your family and your business.

People respond to stress in different ways, and it can build up over time.

Stress can make it harder to make decisions about your farm, finances or relationships.

Getting support early can help reduce stress.

Looking after your mental health helps you make clearer decisions and cope during tough periods.

Signs of stress to look out for

It’s normal to feel a range of emotions during drought. These can change over time.

But sometimes you may notice changes in yourself or others, such as:

• trouble sleeping or sleeping much more than usual
• irritability, anger or poor concentration
• drinking or smoking more
• avoiding decisions or forgetting things
• changes in appetite or feeling unwell
• headaches, gut issues, muscle aches or low immunity.

When stress is affecting you or others

If stress starts to affect you or someone else's day‑to‑day life, it’s important to reach out for support.

You should seek help early, especially if you notice:

• stress affecting your day-to-day life
• withdrawing from people or activities
• relying on alcohol or drugs to cope
• feeling overwhelmed, fearful, or guilty
• thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

If someone doesn’t seem like themselves:

• check in and ask how they’re going
• listen without judgement
• encourage them to get support
• stay connected and follow up.

Simple ways to look after your wellbeing

Small steps can help you stay grounded during dry times:

• eat healthy, nutritious food
• keep a regular sleep routine
• stay physically active
• take time away from the farm
• find things to laugh about
• make time for activities you enjoy
• stay connected with friends, family and neighbours.

Practical coping strategies include:

• focusing on the things you can control 
• using trusted sources for information and advice.

See Let's talk rural adversity poster (Rural Adversity Mental Health Program)

Where to get help

Support is available if you need to talk or want help managing stress.

Talk to someone

Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) – links people in rural NSW to local mental health support. Find your local RAMHP coordinator or access general drought contacts and support below on this page.

Lifeline– Call 13 11 14 – confidential crisis support, 24/7.

For general drought contacts, see the end of this page.

Get professional help

• NSW Mental Health Line– Call 1800 011 511 – advice and referral, 24/7.
• Speak to your local GP.

If you need urgent help

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. 

Financial assistance

Financial and business support is available to help you manage your farm during drought.
Accessing support early can reduce stress and help you plan ahead.

Being prepared

Building a Farm Business Plan is a key step to building a stronger farm business.

Having a drought plan in place can reduce stress and help you feel more in control.

A clear plan supports decision‑making and helps you manage pressure when conditions change.

Recovering from drought

The impacts of drought can be long-lasting, and recovery takes time.

It involves working through the impacts of a disaster and adjusting to changes in your life. For many people, recovery means building a new way forward, even if things are different to before.

We provide a range of resources to help farmers prepare for, manage and recover from drought.

Health and safety on farms

Farm work comes with many risks. A farm safety plan helps you identify hazards and keep yourself, your family and your workers safe.

Useful resources include:

• SafeWork NSW Farm Safety – guidance on managing risks such as animals, vehicles and chemicals.