Farming communities offered mental health funding boost
- Written by FRRR
This round, the IAGP program has $290,000 to support initiatives or activities that prevent or respond to mental wellbeing concerns. Priorities include increasing mental health education and understanding to reduce stigma; supporting people to build connections and reduce social isolation; and encouraging, supporting and enabling people to seek help for their mental health.
Thanks to FRRR’s donor partners, community groups and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) can apply for grants through two streams of funding:
Community wellbeing: for projects that focus on strengthening the general mental health and wellbeing of people in remote, rural and regional communities.
Farmers and farming communities: for projects specifically supporting the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and the communities they live in.
Jill Karena, Head of Granting at FRRR, said that while Australia’s farming communities are incredibly vibrant and resilient, even the strongest person needs help from time to time.
“There is a legacy of silence and perceived stigma around speaking up and seeking support for mental health issues. Thankfully, in rural communities, this narrative is shifting.
“Together with our funding partners, we are supporting local groups to be part of that momentum and continue to challenge and positively shift perceptions about mental health in their remote, rural and regional communities.
“We want to fund initiatives that foster open and honest discussions around mental health, support the social and emotional wellbeing of vulnerable community members, and encourage farmers, and other community members concerned with their mental health, to seek support.
“We look forward to reading the project ideas put forward by community groups and not-for-profits across the country, and to be inspired by their positive, proactive and community-focussed, mental health initiatives,” Ms Karena said.
Groups seeking support must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), which is due 14 February. Final applications from those shortlisted are due 11 March.
Learn more at: https://frrr.org.au/funding/place/in-a-good-place/.
FRRR would also welcome more partners for this program. Potential supporters should contact partnerships@frrr.org.au or call 03 5430 2399.
About FRRR
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal-FRRR- (phonetically: F-triple-R)- is the only national foundation specifically focused on ensuring the social and economic strength of remote, rural and regional communities. FRRR's unique model connects common purposes and investment with locally prioritised needs, to create communities that are vital and resilient. Since FRRR's start in 2000, it has delivered more than $200 million to more than 15,000 projects.
