increase font size
FEDERATED FARMERS is thrilled by the Health Promotion Agency's, National Depression rural project.
In light of the "horrifying" suicide statistics in rural New Zealand the initiative has rightly tailored the John Kirwan Depression.org website to be more relevant to rural communities.
"The issue of rural depression and suicides has been gaining momentum since we launched our 'When Life's a Bitch' campaign at the beginning of last year, and it is encouraging to see it being addressed at a national Government level," says Federated Farmers mental health spokesperson, Jeanette Maxwell.
"In 2010 rural New Zealanders were 43% more likely to commit suicide than urban New Zealanders. In addition to this male suicide rates have been around 67% higher in rural areas compared to men living in urban centres. This is a big problem and we hope this website will breakdown the walls and reach the farmers who are struggling.
"This website features videos and stories of farmers who have experienced depression and includes 'The Journal', a free online self-help programme designed to support people with depression. The initiative is fronted by Sir John Kirwan, which will hopefully help provide the crucial exposure our sector needs to get farmers to start talking.
"While Federated Farmers is working with the Farmers Mental Wellness Strategy Group to address this issue, the true heroes are the farmers who have agreed to front and share their stories," says Maxwell.
OPINION: Bouquets this week from the old mutt for Fed Farmers and Groundswell for continuing to resist the proposed Gore District plan and its intention to apply costly "cultural values" across the district and a raft of land classifications that are unworkable and counterproductive.
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
Taupiri farmer Chris Woolerton is tipped to take over as Federated Farmers Waikato president from next week.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
Federated Farmers is celebrating following the Government's announcement that young farmers will be able to use their KiwiSaver funds to buy their first home or farm.
National's decision to ‘dribble’ information about the NZ/India to Labour contributed to the delay in it deciding to supported the FTA.
A Hawke's Bay farmer has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half-months' home detention and disqualified from being in charge of or owning sheep and cattle for 12 months for serious animal welfare offending.
With mounting pressure on Australian farmers, driven by the increasingly fluid global uncertainty, the organisers of 'FutureAg powered by Agritechnica' have postponed the Melbourne event.
Tickets have officially gone on sale for Fieldays 2026, marking less than 50 days until the event.
A recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand ‘Farming for Profit’ field day drew about 100 people keen to hear about the policies that drove performance at Erewhon Station, located on the Taihape to Napier Road.
Zespri has unveiled Grown for Good, a refreshed global brand platform, in an effort to reinforce the company's commitment to nutrition and creating value across the kiwifruit industry.
