A VIRAL social media movement is sweeping the nation with farmers ‘dropping their dacks’ to raise awareness for mental health.
Starting off as one young farmer naked in the back of a truck full of lentils on Instagram, the idea has now grown into a country-wide charity helping ease the stigma around mental health.
A major supporter of the movement, the Penola district based Warrawindi Farms team recently travelled to northern Victoria to auction a heifer for the cause.
The heifer, aptly dubbed Naked for Satan, sold at the Limousin National Sale for $3000, with $1000 donated to the initiative.
Warrawindi Farms owner David Galpin said the movement was close to the family’s heart and they were more than happy to donate the funds.
“Mental health is a huge issue plaguing not only the farming sector but across all walks of life,” he said.
“At the moment things are pretty tough in farming, there is drought in one part of the country, floods in the other, even fires down in Tassie – we have all been doing it tough.
“In the South East we have not seen a good downpour for a long time, which is causing a lot of mental stress.
“I think reminding people that it is okay to be struggling and there is always someone who will listen is an important message which we are hopefully getting across through The Naked Farmer initiative.”
Founder Ben Brooksby praised the support he has received from the Galpin family and greater Penola community.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support I receive from the Galpin family,” he said.
“Times are tough in farming at the moment and they have been so generous not only auctioning off their heifer but also being one of our major sponsors.
“It is amazing to have people just as passionate about mental health as I am and to have them on board with The Naked Farmer is amazing.”
Celebrating two years this week, The Naked Farmer cause has raised close to $50,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor mental health unit and has more than 90,000 followers on Instagram.
With such a powerful social media following, Mr Brooksby decided to tour the country last year to meet the farmers behind his cause, in addition to taking photographs for the 2019 Naked Farmer calendar.
Heading on a tour across Tasmania later this year for the next calendar instalment, Mr Brooksby also has big plans to bring The Naked Farmer to SA.
“I live just across the border in Victoria so it is funny that I have not been able to tour a little closer to home,” he said.
“But I am happy to announce we will be spending time in South Australia and Victoria this year collecting stories and photographs for our upcoming book.
“I really encourage anyone who would be interested in being featured to get in touch as we would love to see as many people from the community as we can involved in the project.”
Mr Brooksby said starting a conversation is key to helping mental health issues in the community.
“I hope with enough education and awareness we can not only encourage people to seek the help they need, but also help friends and family members recognise the signs of someone who might be struggling,” he said.
“You know, someone might see an Instagram post or read this article and then go home and tell someone else.
“That is how we get the ball rolling, the more people talking about us getting our jocks off the more awareness we raise.”
With farmers across the country getting involved, Mr Galpin has also done his part for the cause, braving the elements in his birthday suit for a photograph shoot.
“I think it is pretty intimidating to talk to someone about how you are feeling,” Mr Galpin said.
“But it is also daunting to be in the buff out in the paddocks.
“So I think they kind of go hand in hand in a way and it also gives a bit of a lighthearted twist to a very serious topic.”
Mr Brooksby and Mr Galpin both agreed if the campaign reaches one person struggling with mental health an encourages them to seek help, then it has all been worth it.
