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Rural Women New Zealand is conducting a survey on the causes and effects of anxiety and depression in rural communities, updating a survey it did in 2006 that drew a large number of responses.
"In 2006 our Feeling Rotten survey revealed a high level of anxiety and depression in rural areas," says Rural Women NZ executive officer, Noeline Holt. "Causes varied, but for women, post-natal depression was reported as a significant factor.
"We'd like to know what's changed in the six years since then, to help guide us in our advocacy role, and in providing practical help in rural communities."
Rural Women New Zealand is working with agricultural-based organisations such as Federated Farmers and Dairy Women's Network to find ways of combating depression following recently released figures from the Ministry of Health showing there are significantly more suicides per head of population in rural than in urban areas.
Rural Women New Zealand has a long history of supporting families in rural communities with a broad range of health initiatives, including mental wellbeing.
"We recently provided funding for extensive counselling services to rural families in Canterbury following the earthquakes, for example," says Holt.
She says most people have felt the blues or been pessimistic or unfulfilled at some point in their lives.
"These feelings may be driven initially by anxiety, particularly if we have no control over what is causing our anxiety. While it is normal to feel these emotions, if they continue for too long they may be signs of depression."
Anyone living rurally is welcome to take part in the survey. Go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Feeling_Rotten
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