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Words supplied by Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust

Historically the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust often operated in a reactive capacity during adverse events to support our rural community, but its approach has now become more proactive as it continues its work to support and strengthen our rural communities to be resilient and empowered.

Events such as Mycoplasma Bovis, Covid related border restrictions and ongoing market challenges have seen the Trust place a greater emphasis on supporting farmers in a variety of ways and an unprecedented demand for counselling support. When circumstances beyond your control lead to a rural crisis, be it climatic, environmental, financial or personal, the Trust is ready to assist.

The Trust’s services are free and confidential, and help is available through an experienced team of facilitators who are rural people with local first-hand knowledge of the challenges that rural life brings.

One recent example was the instigation of a M Bovis team which supported farmers through the personal stresses which impacted on those whose stock contracted the disease. One local farmer summed up the support he received by saying, “As a bloke you think you’re strong enough and don’t need to speak to a stranger about how you’re feeling and what is bothering you. The second time that my farm was affected by M Bovis, I knew that I needed help and should speak to someone. The Trust was a constant support to us; the weekly phone calls gave me reassurance that someone was listening.” Other farmers share the sentiment whether it be support during adverse weather events – “The support we had from Rural Support over the floods was amazing for us and our farm team” or during times of personal stress – “Rural Support; you helped me because you knew what I was going through. You supported me to get help.”

With Mental Health Awareness Week, and World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2023, it is timely to ask ourselves the questions – Am I ok? Are the people around me ok? And it’s a good opportunity to make time to pick up the phone and call that friend you have been meaning to for so long or to call in on the neighbour you haven’t had time to catch up with. Rural organisations such as the Rural Support Trust, and Rural Women are fabulous entities that promote engagement within communities and should be supported by all generations to ensure those channels and connections that have been worked on for so many years, aren’t lost in time.

The Trust will continue to be part of local events promoting community engagement which also give farmers an excuse and the encouragement to get off farm, such as last year’s professional development Succession Workshops, or an evening out to listen to a guest speaker like Matt Chisholm. In today’s world it is increasingly easy to rely on social media to communicate and relate to our neighbours and community. However, there is little that can replace the feeling of belonging and community that comes from getting off farm, meeting new people, and engaging face-to-face with people in similar situations. It is imperative that generations to come don’t lose sight of the importance of these interactions, the ability to pick up the phone and have a chat to someone who might need it, or just the spontaneity that comes with calling in on a friend and checking in on them and their wellbeing.

If you are interested in knowing more about Mid Canterbury Rural Support or you are concerned about someone, please either email [email protected] or phone 0800 787 254.