This week on the podcast, Mark chats with Carol Mudford to talk about her unconventional path into the shearing sheds and the work she is now doing to help improve mental health across the industry.

Carol grew up around sheep but never planned to pick up a handpiece, starting her working life in nursing before COVID and family circumstances brought her back to the farm. When she was ready to return to nursing, Carol moved into mental health nursing within a rural suicide prevention programme, combining her experience from both the sheds and healthcare with the idea of forming a charity. After losing multiple people in the industry to suicide in a short period, her idea came to life much sooner than she expected.

Now the founder of sHedway, Carol is working across Australia and New Zealand to improve awareness, reduce stigma, and give shearers practical tools to look after themselves and each other. Carol shares practical signs to look for when someone might be struggling, how to step in, and why being “helpfully nosy” can matter more than people think.

This podcast episode discusses suicide. If you are struggling or know someone who may be struggling, support is available through local mental health and crisis services in your area. 

Australia:

• Lifeline Australia: Ph - 1737 Web- https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue: Ph - 1300 22 46 36 - https://www.beyondblue.org.au

New Zealand:

• Samaritans Aotearoa New Zealand: Ph - 0800 72 66 66 Web - https://www.samaritans.org.nz/
• Lifeline New Zealand: Ph 1737 OR 0508 828 865 Web: https://www.lifeline.org.n
• Rural Support Trust: Ph 0800 787 254 Web- https://www.rural-support.org.nz/

UK:

• MIND Ph: 0300 102 1234 Web- https://www.mind.org.uk/

Other:

• 1000 Hearts - https://1000hearts.com.au
• Shedway Official Website - https://shedway.org.au

Head Shepherd is brought to you by neXtgen Agri International Limited. 

We help livestock farmers get the most out of the genetics they farm with. Get in touch with us if you would like to hear more about how we can help you do what you do best: info@nextgenagri.com.

Thanks to our sponsors at MSD Animal Health and Allflex, Heiniger Australia and New Zealand, and ProWay Livestock Equipment. Please consider them when making product choices, as they are instrumental in enabling us to bring you this podcast each week.

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