Community Matters - Getting our heads around rural mental health

 

Many organisations and businesses working in rural New Zealand, such as banks, vets, stock agents, farming supplies and farm advisors would not have traditionally seen themselves as being involved in the area of mental wellness. However, due to the levels of distress in some rural areas and the number of rural suicides, it has become an area of growing concern for many. Farmer related suicides for example, occur at a higher rate of 12.5 per 100,000 people, than in urban populations, with 10.6 per 100,000 people in New Zealand.

Currently the dairy industry is suffering hard financial times across the country, as is the arable farming industry in drought stricken parts of the South Island, while at other times it has been kiwifruit, sheep or beef farmers. However the pressures are not just financial.

Stress and subsequent mental health issues in rural New Zealand are experienced differently from urban dwellers. This is due to a number of factors, such as physical and social isolation in rural areas, a stoic culture of not showing weakness especially in older farmers, the tendency to seek help only when issues have become really serious and the factors that influence farming businesses.

The issues farmers report that are causing them stress are often out of their control, such as weather, global market changes that determine commodity prices, currency, compliance and government regulations and the need to work long hours at certain times of the year. For commercial businesses the issues of concern are more often reported as budgeting, marketing and strategy, all of which the business has more power to control.

Isolation can mean that it is not only difficult to access help when it is needed, but there may not be anyone else noticing the thinking or behaviour changes occurring that would indicate that help may be needed.

I am part of Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ), which is leading some of the work in the area of rural mental health alongside organisations such as Rural Support Trusts, Dairy NZ and Farmstrong. RHAANZ is an umbrella organisation for more than 40 organisations that have an interest in health and wellbeing of rural New Zealand. The government has finally started to put some money into this area, including suicide prevention training for rural professionals across rural organisations, clinical champions who can put forward a rural voice, and upskilling health providers around rural issues. A framework is being developed to improve outcomes for rural mental health and addictions, and I am privileged to be part of the advisory group pulling this together.

If you have an interest in this area check out the work being done by RHAANZ, or attend a training programme yourself, so you can maintain your own mental wellbeing, as well as recognising signs of distress in others. Blueprint are running the next free Mental Health 101 workshop in Whangarei on October 13. Registrations are through eboni.siueva@blueprint.co.nz

n Libby Jones is involved in many community organisations in both paid and volunteer roles. She has experience in social services, health and education including governance, funding, research, clinical and management roles.