New partnership boosts access to mental health support for farmers

A new partnership announced at Fieldays last week is set to make accessing mental health support a whole lot easier for rural people. Farmlands, Rural Support Trust and the ignite platform have teamed up to offer free wellbeing sessions to farmers, growers, farm workers and their families. The idea is simple: support that fits around rural life, not the other way around. No long drives, no taking half a day off the farm, and no worrying about who might see you walking into a clinic. You can talk to someone online, over the phone, or in person if that suits, even from the middle of the paddock.

Farmlands says the move is about backing its shareholders when things get tough, and Rural Support Trust sees it as an extension of the work it has been doing for years, turning up at farm gates and helping families find the right support. 

With ignite’s technology, that support becomes easier to reach, especially in places where the nearest counsellor might be hours away. And it’s not just counselling on offer – the platform includes nutritionists, business coaches and financial mentors, recognising that wellbeing is about the whole picture, not just one part of it.

During the next three years, more than 1,500 free sessions will be available. It ties in with the Government’s draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which highlights the challenges rural communities face. For Farmlands, it also sits under its Rural Never Rests focus on supporting the resilience of rural businesses and families. If you or someone on your team could use a chat with a professional, bookings are open now at rural-support.org.nz.

Find out more here.