The Nelson and Marlborough Public Health Service, Federated Farmers, Like Minds and Rural Support Trust are hosting two seminars to help participants recognise the signs of depression.
“We are targeting rural professionals who work with farmers so they are able to identify if a farmer is stressed, anxious, angry or sad which are all sign signs of depression,” Federated Farmers Nelson president Gavin O’Donnell said.
“This way they will be better placed to know how to help the farmer in question.
“Rural professionals such as rural bankers, vets, contractors and so on are far more likely to be in a position to identify if there is a problem because they encounter farmers more frequently and in their natural environment.
The courses will provide them with tools to make a difference.
“I really hope that employers take this opportunity to educate their staff on what could potentially be a life saving course.
The seminars will be led by a Like Minds facilitator and a representative from Public Health Services.
They will teach attendees how to communicate with farmers with depression, what information and services are available and how to access them as well as how to handle the additional responsibility and stress of being in that situation for the individual.
“No one should be afraid to talk to someone if they think they are struggling but it is about learning the ways to open up the conversation without feeling pressured or threatened,” O’Donnell said.
The Blenheim seminar is on Monday October 21 and the Nelson seminar is on Tuesday October 22. Both run from noon with lunch supplied. For more details or to enrol email hilary.genet@nmdhb.govt.nz or call 03 5461545.
