Big dry puts the burn on rural livelihoods
Ground that was soaking wet only four
weeks ago has become rock hard and it is hard to push
a fence standard in.
night held at Gordonton last Friday and MCed by Te Radar.
Depression is an overwhelming beast that seems to strike the people that we probably all believe have the most to celebrate and live for.
Just ask Sir John Kirwan. It only makes sense that with all the stresses that farmers face from the climate, fluctuating milk payouts, animal welfare concerns and now, in some cases, social media persecutions, they seem to top the list in the suicide statistics.
I don’t believe that we truly understand suicide’s insidious effects on the rural community, or indeed the community at large.
The Waikato District Health Board provides a rural mental health and addictions service, and while this is perhaps little known within farming circles it needs to be publicised more, so these services can be better utilised.
For psychiatric emergencies they have a 0800 505050 line.
But most importantly we all need to get out there and actively meet our neighbours, ask them how they are going and support one another when the weather conditions or some other adverse event intervenes.
If you are worried about someone or something, then please seek help from your GP, who can refer you to the appropriate treatment/provider.
You owe it to yourself, your family and your friends to reach out. Please don’t be a statistic, and let’s get this number down.
❚ Andrew McGiven is president of Waikato Federated Farmers