Farmers' positivity up, stress levels down: trust
Rural Support Trust (RST) has released a report, supported by Fonterra and conducted by the Ākina Foundation, showing a majority of its clients feel better after engaging with its services.
The report showed that in 2024, 94% of the support trust's clients felt less stressed and 97% felt more confident in managing future challenges.
The trust's Southland chairman Simon Hopcroft said the service offers one-on-one support, ensuring that farmers and growers have access to someone who understands the unique challenges of living and working rurally.
The trust also acts as a referral channel, he said, connecting clients with professional experts in mental health, financial stability, employment and rural isolation.
Fonterra director of global external affairs Simon Tucker said the co-operative was grateful for the work RST was doing in this field.
"We know the ups and downs that come with working on the land and the stress that goes along with it," he said.
"This report demonstrates why access to wellbeing services is vital for our rural communities."
In the case of financial pressures, Mr Hopcroft said the trust could provide up to $6000 in funding for expert advice on how to move the business out of difficulty.
Mr Hopcroft said the foundation knew that isolation was a key factor impacting on the mental health of primary producers.
Problems plaguing Southland growers and farmers, Mr Hopcroft said, included last year's prolonged wet spring, which caused an increased need for support.
They also continued to see queries regarding employment, particularly with contractual issues in the dairy sector, he said.
The survey showed that on average, customers' mental wellbeing improved by 5.4 points, on a 10-point scale.
Rural South national chair Michelle Ruddell said while it was good to see the positive impact on a person's wellbeing, it was concerning that many were getting to such dark places before reaching out.
"Our ongoing work in destigmatising mental health challenges and normalising asking for help is critical to building strengthened rural communities.
"We want people to feel comfortable to reach out early before things feel out of control and we're here to support regardless of the situation," she said.
To improve on isolation and the overall mental health of rural workers, he said they created community events, as well as connecting clients with counsellors.
The trust has seasonal events such as Surfing for Farmers and the mountainbiking group Rural Riders in the South, hoping to foster connection between farmers and get them out of the house and away from the farm.
The report showed over 1500 reached out for RST support last year and 51% of cases required referral to the trust's outside networks.
ella.scott-fleming@alliedpress.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
A Night Of Strength, Stories & Support: An Evening With Sir Wayne ‘Buck' Shelford
Press Release – Rural Support Trust Sir Wayne Buck Shelford – legendary All Black rugby captain, cancer survivor, and advocate for mens health – will take the stage to share powerful personal stories of leadership, grit, and overcoming adversity. The Rural Support Trust proudly invites the rural community to a special night of inspiration, connection, and shared resilience at: An Evening with Sir Wayne 'Buck' Shelford on Thursday 31 July 2025, at the stunning LaValla Estate in Tuakau. This dedicated to celebrating the strength and spirit of our rural communities. Farmers, growers, and the networks that support them. It's an opportunity to pause, connect, and recharge in the company of others who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of rural life. Sir Wayne 'Buck' Shelford – legendary All Black rugby captain, cancer survivor, and advocate for men's health – will take the stage to share powerful personal stories of leadership, grit, and overcoming adversity. His words promise to be as real and unforgettable as the man himself. 'This event is about strengthening our rural community – not just with stories of rugby greatness, but through genuine connection and conversations that matter,' says Wanda Leadbeater from Waikato Rural Support Trust. Attendees will enjoy a two-course dinner curated by LaValla's renowned kitchen team, all in a warm, relaxed setting designed to encourage laughter, storytelling, and support. Thanks to the incredible generosity of sponsors and ongoing Rural Support Trust fundraising, the bulk of the event costs have been covered. A subsidised ticket fee remains to help with final expenses, ensuring the evening is accessible while covering essential logistics. Event Details: Date: Thursday 31 July 2025 Time: 5:30pm Venue: LaValla Estate – 131 Dominion Road, Tuakau, Waikato Tickets available online: About Rural Support Trust The Rural Support Trust plays a vital role in supporting New Zealand's rural people through difficult times – whether it's drought, floods, mental health challenges, or financial strain. Their confidential, on-the-ground assistance helps build resilience and keeps communities strong when it matters most. This event is not only a celebration – it's a reminder that no one in rural New Zealand needs to face hardship alone.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
A Night Of Strength, Stories & Support: An Evening With Sir Wayne ‘Buck' Shelford
The Rural Support Trust proudly invites the rural community to a special night of inspiration, connection, and shared resilience at: An Evening with Sir Wayne 'Buck' Shelford on Thursday 31 July 2025, at the stunning LaValla Estate in Tuakau. This dedicated to celebrating the strength and spirit of our rural communities. Farmers, growers, and the networks that support them. It's an opportunity to pause, connect, and recharge in the company of others who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of rural life. Sir Wayne 'Buck' Shelford - legendary All Black rugby captain, cancer survivor, and advocate for men's health - will take the stage to share powerful personal stories of leadership, grit, and overcoming adversity. His words promise to be as real and unforgettable as the man himself. 'This event is about strengthening our rural community - not just with stories of rugby greatness, but through genuine connection and conversations that matter,' says Wanda Leadbeater from Waikato Rural Support Trust. Attendees will enjoy a two-course dinner curated by LaValla's renowned kitchen team, all in a warm, relaxed setting designed to encourage laughter, storytelling, and support. Thanks to the incredible generosity of sponsors and ongoing Rural Support Trust fundraising, the bulk of the event costs have been covered. A subsidised ticket fee remains to help with final expenses, ensuring the evening is accessible while covering essential logistics. Event Details: Date: Thursday 31 July 2025 Time: 5:30pm Venue: LaValla Estate – 131 Dominion Road, Tuakau, Waikato About Rural Support Trust The Rural Support Trust plays a vital role in supporting New Zealand's rural people through difficult times - whether it's drought, floods, mental health challenges, or financial strain. Their confidential, on-the-ground assistance helps build resilience and keeps communities strong when it matters most. This event is not only a celebration - it's a reminder that no one in rural New Zealand needs to face hardship alone.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Scoop
Call For More Rural Psychologists To Help Farmers With Mental Health
There are disproportionately high suicide statistics in rural areas. , Hawke's Bay and Tai Rāwhiti reporter While many farmers are feeling good about record meat and dairy prices, mental health is still a massive issue with disproportionately high suicide statistics in rural areas. Depression is something Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is familiar with, after his own battle began eight years ago. 'It's amazing how it creeps in. It affects your farm, your family and your entire life. 'I describe it creeping in like a fog – all of a sudden you find yourself in a bit of a mess and you need help to get out,' he said. Langford is grateful for the support his wife wrapped around him, and urges other farmers in his situation to reach out. 'The key for me was getting off farm, spending time with kids and family,' he said. The sector is welcoming a $3 million funding boost for the Rural Support Trust over four years to improve access to mental health services, but it's sparked calls for more clinical psychologists in rural areas. Clinical psychologist Sarah Donaldson told RNZ that through her work with the Trust she sees high demand from the farming sector. 'Our largest proportion for referrals is distress – from mild through to acutely suicidal. 'There are greater risk factors in the rural sector unfortunately – huge workloads, isolation, work and home are all wrapped up in one bundle and there's lots riding on it,' she said. The Rural Support Trust helps farmers access the help they need, which Donaldson describes as a 'lifesaving' service. But she's worried about a shortage of specialists in rural areas, such as clinical psychologists. 'We need more people that have some clinical training that can be attached to rural support or do outreach services. 'There are people scattered around the country but there's no specific channel to train in rural mental health currently,' she said. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey assured RNZ that the government is working on a workforce plan in a bid to reduce wait times for patients needing mental health services, which he said will also have an impact in rural communities. 'But let's be very clear, one of the biggest barriers to people accessing timely mental health and addiction support is too many workforce vacancies,' said Doocey. He said a key factor is the lack of clinical internship placements. 'Sadly, only up to a couple years ago there was only 30 clinical internship places a year. We've committed to doubling that, growing it by 100 percent to up to 80 placements by 2027,' said Doocey. The new funding for the Rural Support Trust is on top of another $3 million over the next four years allocated through the Ministry for Primary Industries, and $2 million of health funding is being invested in the Rural Wellbeing Fund. Rural Support Trust chair Michelle Ruddell said the farming sector has been calling for this for years. 'We are immensely grateful for the funding and it means our rural people will be better supported. 'We are going to be able to deliver our core work – it's one on one, free, impartial and at a time and place that suits them,' she said. Ruddell describes the demand for their services as 'huge' and said a key part of the work is getting farmers to speak up when they need help. 'Looking after our mental health is really hard and it often gets left behind – our rural people not only struggle to ask for help on a day to day basis, but actually don't often ask for help very often for their own wellbeing,' she said. It's a challenge the group is up for, they're determined to reach more farmers in every nook and cranny of Aotearoa.
