BY HOLLIE HUGHES
Drought affected residents in regional and rural areas of New South Wales are being invited to participate in an online survey by climate researchers at the University of Newcastle which focuses on the links between drought and individual well-being.
Research lead, Emma Austin says information gained from the survey is crucial to the implementation of initiatives to better support residents within communities frequently experiencing drought.
"We invite anyone living across regional New South Wales who is over 18 to participate in this survey and help us inform new programs for regional residents."
"We know that drought is a global issue impacting people's mental and physical health, the more residents who participate in the survey...the more information we will have to better inform programs to support those impacted."
Austin says that gathering the information is significant in order to build our knowledge regarding the ways people have coped and adapted to past and present droughts, allowing for the development of programs to assist those in the same situation in the future.
"The survey questions are focused on the ways in which residents have adapted to drought in the past and will provide us with information regarding the relationship between drought and well-being, along with adaptive capacity and how to develop resilience when overcoming adversity."
The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete with all participants going into the draw to win a $400 VISA gift card.
For more information or to complete the survey visit the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health website at https://www.crrmh.com.au/.
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