My Drought Story (MDS) project was a digital media and awareness campaign that was implemented across previously drought affected areas of NSW.
The project encouraged people in drought impacted communities to share their experiences of drought through the submission of images and stories. Extensive media coverage was also used to increase the awareness and understanding of the impact of drought and the importance of looking after mental health in times of adversity.

Within the crowded space of resilience and the need to connect and engage community, MDS provided a move away from “business as usual” going beyond standard practice and taking into consideration the need for collaborative, multifaceted approach, sustainable and accessible activities that resulted in behaviour change.

The MDS project was a collaborative campaign. With over 20 partners from government, not for profit, charity and for profit the project was able to gain reach throughout Australia therefore increasing the knowledge, understanding and skill development of regional Australians.

MDS addressed gaps in community expectations and needs by addressing the drought and providing a chance for reflection which allowed people to process their experience of the drought and move towards a better knowledge and understanding of how they might respond to extreme events into the future.

The final printed book included stories which highlighted how people functioned effectively under stress, built their capacity and adapted to uncertainty and lack of control. Highlighting these stories helped to develop new skills within individuals and allow them to prepare mentally for adverse events into the future. It also highlighted the uniqueness of regional NSW but recognised the commonality in shared experience of adversity. This acknowledgement of shared experience helps to strengthen connection and therefore build resilience as a nation.

MDS was supported through the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program and C7EVEN Media and Communications.