Online support launched to aid rural communities.
The Government has unveiled a mental wellbeing hub designed to help farmers and growers cope with the stress of adverse weather events. Officially launched by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey, 'Getting Through' provides free access to tools and resources via rural sector organisations and its website.
Funded by Health NZ, the initiative aims to build resilience in the farming community through a combination of real-life experiences and professional psychological advice. The online hub is freely available and can be quickly accessed and shared, providing valuable support for those living in geographically isolated areas.
Minister Doocey highlighted the importance of asking for help when things get tough, stating that "it's okay not to be okay." The 'Getting Through' resources were developed by Farmstrong, a national provider of rural mental health and wellbeing support. This project was made possible with $345,000 in funding from Health NZ through the North Island Weather Events Response and Recovery package.
While primarily focused on extreme weather events, these resources offer universal lessons for anyone facing adversity. By promoting wellbeing support and providing free resources to rural families and communities, the initiative aims to help farmers build strategies to cope with challenges arising in their line of work.