Information for getting through the drought
Useful and easy to understand resources you can download:
Social support is important because it reduces the sense of isolation, lessens depression and anxiety and provides a network of people who can listen and offer support.
If you are experiencing difficult times due to the drought, you don’t have to go through it alone!
Below are some pages of information that can help you and your loved ones cope and make sense of what you are experiencing.
Getting Through the Drought
Looking after yourself
To cope well in stressful situations you need to look after yourself. If stress is allowed to accumulate, such as when many stressful events occur together, the body can be affected and health, decision-making capacity and relationships may suffer.
Your ability to cope is a combination of heredity and learned responses, so you can improve your ability to cope.
- Become aware of your stress levels
- Regularly take time out for relaxation and fun
- Maintain links with family, friends and community
- Make sure you eat and sleep well
- Keep involved with sport, hobbies and other recreational activities
- Vigorously exercise 30 minutes a day to relieve tension.
Don’t let the crisis dominate your life completely. Occasionally stress may result in a physical illness. Be aware of any changes in both yourself and others and if you suspect any problem, contact your GP or other health professional.
Gaining a sense of control
Everyone responds differently to stress. Those who handle stress more effectively tend to have a realistic sense of their limits, a knack for turning problems into opportunities, an ability to challenge their reactions to situations and maintain a positive outlook.
You can start to develop a sense of control by:
- Not overreacting to the problem
- Becoming aware of negative self talk (I'll never survive this, I will never work again)
- Replacing negative self talk with realistic self talk (I've been through other tough times, I’m not a quitter)
- Maintaining routines and networks with other people.
People under high levels of stress can take their frustrations out on themselves and others. They can blame themselves for events or turn their frustration to others in the form of anger. Anger can be expressed within the family or directed at others in the community, including people in authority.
Financial options
Drought usually brings financial problems which in turn, make the situation more stressful.
It is important to discuss your financial situation with people who are trained to help. Financial counselling services can help you assess your situation so you can make more informed and timely decisions.
It is also important to openly discuss the reasons why household expenditure is being cut back within the family, especially so that children understand what is going on and why. If left to interpret the situation themselves, they may tend to imagine the worst.
A number of Lifeline centres offer face-to-face financial counselling. Please visit Lifeline’s Service Finder and use the search term ‘Lifeline Financial Counselling’ for a current list of Centres offering this service.
Coping with changing roles
Crises such as drought can lead to considerable personal and community upheaval. People are often forced to take on additional paid work, leave long-term employment, or become unemployed. In all these situations, it is important to maintain good communication with those affected by the changes.
In close relationships the best plan is cohesion – ride the situation out together. Be sensitive to one another’s feelings and pay attention to unspoken pain as well as verbalised distress. During these times of adjustment, it is important to spend regular time with those who are important to you.
Changing roles can lead to feelings of guilt and embarrassment. When things go wrong, people tend to blame themselves or think they’ve failed in some way. These feelings are seldom justified.
By examining the whole situation, you may be able to see things more realistically and reduce your self blame. Try the following to clarify what might be going on for you and what is out of your control:
- List the outside influences (weather, equipment breakdown, interest rates etc.) that contributed to the role change
- List any people involved and their needs (fellow workers, your children, your bank manager etc.) and include yourself on the list
- Be realistic, give each a score out of 100 for how much it/they contributed to the role change. Score yourself last. Ensure the scores add up to 100.
- Look back at all the factors and re-evaluate your level of responsibility.
People under stress may also use alcohol to ‘unwind’ or ‘drown their sorrows’. But, alcohol can increase feelings of depression and sadness, and overuse can lead to further family and social problems, farm injuries, and serious physical illness. GPs recommend no more than 4 drinks a day for men, and 2 drinks a day for women, with 2 alcohol free days a week.
Improving communication
People under stress may communicate in unhelpful ways. For example, families may find themselves bickering more than usual, withdrawing from one another or becoming more verbally or physically abusive. Criticising, blaming, interrupting or dominating conversations are other common responses.
Effective communication begins with establishing guidelines for dealing with sensitive topics. Treat other people with respect. Listen to each other until you have 'experienced' the other person’s side of the issue. Pay attention to the other person's ideas, and how they feel about them.
Maintain eye contact and be aware of your body language (avoid crossing your arms, rolling your eyes, clenching your fists etc). When expressing your views, state your needs and feelings briefly. Be specific about what you hope to achieve. Try not to use loaded or accusatory words. Try not to exaggerate, withhold important information or raise your voice. Focus on issues rather than personalities by using ‘I’ statements (I feel upset when…) rather than blaming 'you' messages (You always…). Focus on the present, and resist the temptation to revisit old hurts.
If the situation becomes negative or hurtful, take time out until everyone has calmed down. Crying is often unavoidable when feelings are intense and this is perfectly natural.
Controlling anger
Anger is an expression of hurt, frustration and a sense of being treated unfairly. It is often a rapid and instinctive response which takes time and effort to control.
To begin to take control of your anger:
- Learn to recognise warning signs, such as muscle tension, changes in breathing, flushed face, clenched fists
- Take a few slow, deep breaths (In 1-2-3….. Out 1-2-3)
- Imagine a place that makes you feel calm and peaceful
- Think before you act – consider alternative explanations for what the person did or said
- Determine your course of action and consider the consequences
- Learn to negotiate – look at alternative solutions and compromises
- Take ‘time out’ from the situation if necessary.
Above all, learn to talk about your feelings and to express yourself calmly without losing your temper or fighting. A trusted friend or health professional may be able to help you with this.
Helping families, children and adolescents through tough times
Children are often very aware of what is happening around them. When adults withhold information, it can result in mixed messages, confusion and tension. Children know something is wrong, even though they may not know what it is, and they fill in the blanks themselves. They tend to imagine the worst and may think they are to blame.
Children can learn valuable lessons from watching how parents deal with pressure and stress. They can learn that painful feelings can be handled, and that decision making involves information gathering, looking at alternatives and selecting the best option.
To ensure beneficial and open communication with children:
- Have family meetings to discuss issues
- Be honest and open about what is happening
- When a decision has been made, point out what will remain the same and what will change
- Outline the children’s responsibilities, e.g. to do well at school and help at home
- Outline your responsibilities.
With both children and adolescents, parents need to be aware of changes in mood, behaviour, friendships, eating or sleeping patterns. Discuss these changes with them and seek professional help if concerned. Talk to your GP, community nurse, school counsellor or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, to find out about other local services.
Emotional and Mental Health
There is help available for families who may be experiencing excessive stress or other emotional and mental health symptoms. If you have noticed that you or a family member has been experiencing distressing symptoms such as low mood, fatigue, irritability, hopelessness, avoidance of usual activities, negative thinking, or other changes to usual behaviour, it may be time to ask for help. There are a range of health and community services that can assist with the assessment and treatment of emotional and mental health symptoms. You can also access counselling via a referral to a psychologist or counsellor from your local doctor.
Talk to your GP, community nurse, school counsellor or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, to find out about local services.
Family Strain
Difficult times such as the experience of drought can put more pressure on family relationships, resulting in regular disagreements and conflict. Counselling for parents and children is available from family counsellors, school counsellors and organisations that specialise in relationship counselling.
Also, going through separation or divorce may put additional strain on relationships. There are a range of programs available to assist families affected by these issues or concerned about parenting more generally.
If you are caring for a family member with a disability, you may be eligible for carer respite. The Commonwealth Respite Centre coordinates access and information about respite services to people caring for a family member or friend who may have dementia, a disability, a mental illness, a terminal illness in need of palliative care, or are frail aged. Respite is giving carers a break and can be provided through a range of services. As each carer’s situation is unique, the service is flexible in meeting individual needs, and there is no cost for the service.
Money
Families need adequate disposable money to live and pay for food, clothing, outings, school excursions and so on. With a change of circumstances due to climate change you may have a downturn in the profitability of your farm. This can reduce disposable income and impact on your available budget for family living.
Your family may be eligible for a health care card, so check the Centrelink website for current eligibility rates. A Health Care Card gives you access to discounts on the cost of medical prescriptions, utilities, bills and the cost of registering your car. Health Care Card holders can also travel on public transport at discounted prices. For children, Health Care Cards give them access to the educational maintenance allowance and free or reduced price on dental care.
Education
There can be multiple costs involved in educating your children. For families where finances are tight, you may be eligible for specific government subsidies.
For example, your child's school will have information relating to the transport subsidy for school and bus costs. There is also a mileage subsidy that may be available for private travel where there is no subsidised bus route. Again, ask your local school for more details.
If you are in possession of a Health Care Card you are entitled to claim an annual Education Maintenance Allowance to assist with the costs of your child’s education. This covers primary and secondary schools and funded kindergartens. Your local school or kindergarten should have the forms.
For Centrelink purposes a child in full time education is considered a dependant until the age of 25 years. The cost of your child’s university or tertiary education can be considerable. If you are on a low income, your child may be eligible for Austudy and can also apply for scholarships to assist with the costs of living away from home. For more information, contact Centrelink online or phone: 132 490.
Resources and getting help
For some people, the stress of coping with drought may trigger a psychological illness. Times of crisis, such as drought, result in a higher incidence of anxiety, depression and suicide. This is not surprising considering the prolonged nature of the stress and how little control people have over the situation.
If anxiety or depression becomes disabling, or there is a risk of suicide or self-harm, seek professional help. Talk to your GP, community nurse or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, to find out about other local services.
Don’t forget, use all the resources that are available to you. Seeking appropriate care and support is always a positive step.
Government Links
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website
Centrelink Drought Assistance website
Drought Assistance Australian Government portal – for financial assistance and information.
Practical Help
If your family is finding it difficult to pay for basic items such as food and petrol, you may be eligible for short term emergency relief assistance (e.g. food or petrol vouchers.) To access this kind of help, talk to your local Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul or Material Aid/Emergency Response Agency.
Farmer Assistance line 1800 050 585.
Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Line 1800 050 015. Support for irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin that have been affected by reduced water allocations.
Contact Centrelink for information about income assistance or phone Family Assistance on 136 150, Youth Allowance or Austudy on 132 490 or Centrelink Drought Assistance on 13 23 16.
Counselling
Rural Financial Counselling Service – Free call 1800 686 175 for your nearest service or visit www.daff.gov.au
Relationships Australia currently offers a free counselling service to people who have been affected in some way by the drought.
The Family Relationship Services Program: For information and referral contact Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 or search for a list of organisations offering drought counselling.
The National Association for Grief and Loss (VIC) provides a Statewide Telephone and Referral Service between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. This service can provide information about local grief counselling services, support groups, self help groups, and telephone counselling services. The free call number is: 1800 100 023.
Resources:
Lifeline Service Finder (Search term: ‘Drought Assistance’);
Coping with the social impact of drought - Centrelink fact sheet
‘Farming Families and Stress’ resource and information guide- available from General Practice Alliance by emailing info@gpasouthgippsland.com.au
Last reviewed by Lifeline content experts in July 2010.