His tough times morph into Ag Proud
How a ‘Southern Man’ shockingly found out he was vulnerable
Jason Herrick says he and his mates set up mental health support group Ag Proud NZ not only to help farmers through tough times, but to strengthen the bond between urban and rural people.
The Lumsden dairy farmer told The Muster’s Andy Thompson that he wanted to “concentrate on mental health awareness and positive farm practices and get it out into the public eye”.
Herrick is no stranger to mental health issues, as he found himself in a very dark place after an adverse weather event threatened his livelihood nine months ago.
“I found myself . . . basically hitting a brick wall,” said Herrick.
Pressure had been building up for Herrick since the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 but he didn’t realise the effect it had been having on his mental health.
The challenges of farming and his wife’s health scare added to his state of mind. Herrick said he was unaware of the build up until it was too late.
“Last year the pressure just got a bit much. I didn’t realise it was happening at the time. When it happens, you snap and you have no control. It’s like your brain goes into a different mode. Unfortunately I went down the path of trying to take my own life.”
Luckily Herrick found someone who got him in touch with “the right people” and showed him where he could find help.
“I sought support from people that
I never knew was actually there. There is a lot of support for mental health . . . in our community.
“I’ve met some awesome people. They have helped me in the last nine months get to where I am today.” Listen to the full interview below: “Self-confessed Southern Man” Herrick said he felt “ashamed” after his suicide attempt, and wanted to get the message out to help lessen the stigma.
“I never thought this would ever happen to me. I was always hitting myself in the back of the head saying ‘come on harden up, get on with it — take a concrete pill and move on’. But unfortunately I did end up in that state of mind and it can happen to anybody.”
Herrick said there had been a “fantastic” response to him speaking out publicly about his mental health.
“The one main reason that I’m putting my story out there is to let people know that there is help. Let them know that they’re not weak. If they are feeling this way — go and talk to somebody. Reach out to a perfect stranger.
“Anybody has got an ear and if they’re willing to listen, they will help you.” ■ — NZME
Last year the pressure just got a bit much. I didn’t realise it was happening at the time. When it happens, you snap and you have no control. It’s like your brain goes into a different mode. Unfortunately I went down the path of trying to take my own life.