Queensland grower David Woods has been awarded a Nuffield Australia Scholarship, supported by GrainCorp, that will see him explore strategies for tackling rural mental health in regional and remote Australia.
Based in Toobeah, QLD, David aims to gain a deeper understanding of the critical gaps in rural mental health care and explore why, despite increased investment and awareness, mental health challenges in these communities persist.
“While the overall prevalence of mental illness in Australia is similar between rural and urban areas, rural communities have double the suicide rate, despite considerable efforts to reduce it,” David explains.
“I would like to explore what it is we’re missing. What are the blind spots that continue to hinder progress in improving mental health outcomes in rural areas?”
With years of experience researching mental health principles and volunteering to help individuals overcome psychological barriers, David is passionate about developing more effective ways to communicate and empower rural communities.
His research will focus on two key themes: First, examining whether Australia’s medical system is too focused on treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes, and second, investigating how the language used around mental health might be contributing to the problem.
“I would like to explore what it is we’re missing. What are the blind spots that continue to hinder progress in improving mental health outcomes in rural areas?”
David Woods
“Communication methods often inadvertently compound the problem,” David says. “We need to better understand how to communicate effectively within the context of our stoic rural stereotypes.”
David’s research will complement existing industry initiatives, including GrainGrowers’ drought policy, which advocates for tools that strengthen the social, environmental, and financial resilience of farm businesses and their communities.
Moreover, David has invested many years researching the key principles of mental health as well as exploring how individuals can address the root causes that result in mental illness.
This experience includes volunteering with an organisation that helped people overcome psychological barriers.
“During this time, I became fascinated with the process of self-initiated recovery and subsequently I’ve helped many people locally steer a course towards learning about their own potential,” David explains.
“I’m deeply curious about how we can more effectively communicate the empowerment that comes from understanding and overcoming mental health challenges. This research has been life-changing for me and many others, and I’m eager to share these insights more broadly.”
GrainCorp’s Head of Grower Services, Nicholas Chambers, with GrainCorp’s 2025 and 2023 Nuffield Scholars, David Woods (left) and Tessa Dimond (right) at the 2024 Nuffield National Conference
GrainCorp Community Engagement Manager Kyle Docherty says GrainCorp is proud to support David as its 2025 Nuffield Scholar.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with David to explore ways we can better support growers and our broader communities, especially during periods of drought when mental health challenges are often heightened.”
He adds: “David’s research is particularly important among the rural and regional communities where we operate, and we’re excited to support him throughout this important program.”
