Free farmer health checks at Henty Machinery Field Days

The checks have been made possible thanks to funding from the federal government's Empowering Our Communities initiative to support mental health and wellbeing in drought affected communities.

The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH), a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University, will be facilitating the health checks.

NCFH program co-ordinator Tracey Hatherell said the 20-minute health checks will be available for farming men and women, agricultural workers and rural community members.

"Each check will include a lifestyle survey focusing on health behaviours, farm practices, and social and emotional wellbeing," Ms Hatherell said.

"The health check also includes cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure readings, BMI and diabetes risk, all of which will help our trained agri-health professionals provide people with knowledge and skills to improve their health."

MPHN chief executive officer Melissa Neal said the farmer health checks are just one of many things MPHN is providing at Henty Machinery Field Days to help support mental health and wellbeing in farming communities.

"I'm so pleased we have been able to bring the farmer health checks to Henty this year and I would encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of these free health checks," Ms Neal said.

"MPHN will have our own stand in the Country Lifestyle Pavilion with plenty of information about mental health services and supports we have available in our region, one of which is the free online suicide prevention training known as 'Question. Persuade. Refer.' (QPR)."

QPR training provides participants with knowledge and skills to identify warning signs someone might be suicidal, the confidence to talk to them and how to connect them to professional care.

"Also at our stand will be information about our Murrumbidgee Community Grants, which provide funding for up to $30,000 to community-led activities or training to help support mental health and wellbeing in our drought affected communities," Ms Neal said. "This funding is available up until June 2020.

"On stage in the pavilion you can hear two grant recipients discuss the power of group exercise in fostering mental wellness and resilience."