Episode 20: Beyond The Back Paddock with Leila McDougall
Leila McDougall is a magnetic entrepreneur and influential advocate for Women in Agriculture, is on a mission to promote, support, and celebrate farming life. Her diverse career, spanning from fashion designer to rural teacher, now sees her donning the hat of filmmaker, spearheading her latest venture – the feature film
Official Trailer to Just A Farmer
Leila shares her journey from growing up on a farm to becoming an advocate for mental health in rural communities.
She discusses her experience with dyslexia and how it shaped her as an educator. Leila also talks about her involvement in various initiatives, such as starting a non-profit organization and participating in pageants, to raise awareness about mental health and promote agriculture.
She explains her motivation behind releasing a movie that highlights the challenges faced by farmers and encourages conversations about mental health and the undervalued role of farmers in society.
The conversation explores the key themes of mental health, generational mental health, the impact of suicide on families, the silence surrounding suicide, and the importance of open communication. Leila shares her personal experiences and research on these topics, highlighting the stigma and blame associated with suicide.
The movie 'The Farmer' addresses these themes and aims to start conversations and raise awareness. Leila also discusses her goals and dreams, including winning an Academy Award and continuing to tell Australian stories.