Friday, 25 November 2022 16:55

$40k raised for forestry mental health

Written by  Staff Reporters
At a recent charity auction, $40,000 was raised to support mental health in the forestry sector. At a recent charity auction, $40,000 was raised to support mental health in the forestry sector.

More than $40,000 has been raised to lead a mental health initiative for forestry at a charity auction dinner held in Rotorua last week.

Opened by newly appointed Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell, the charity auction was part of the Fast & Forward Forestry Expo.

Forestry Industry Contractors Association (FICA) chief executive Prue Younger says the auction was to raise funds to further mental health initiatives post a pilot programme with Mates4Life, Hawke’s Bay.

“Mental wellbeing is a topical challenge for any workplace in this crazy world and forestry has not escaped from it,” Younger says.

She says FICA wanted to put funds together to initiate a programme to support the sector.

“The aim is to provide a long-term, sustainable, no barriers suicide awareness and prevention training approach that is specific to the needs of workplaces and communities,” says Younger.

Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell opened the evening as keynote speaker.

“Forestry is in our DNA, it is part of our identity, we have a strong history and legacy in forestry and wood processing that we are proud of,” Tapsell told attendees.

“Rotorua as a top destination city has also been impacted by COVID and the ripple effects of the pandemic. But we are also a forward thinking and resilient community and working hard to recover. Events like this help us to do that. As a community we are so pleased to be able to welcome events back to Rotorua.”

She said the charity auction was important for FICA’s goal of setting up a programme to support the mental wellbeing of those working in the sector.

“Mental health doesn’t discriminate and all of us in this room have probably either experienced mental health issues ourselves or watched a friend, relative, or colleague struggle with mental wellbeing. This is a fantastic initiative.”

More like this

Coming to a beach near you!

The popular Surfing for Farmers programme, which gives farmers a well-earned break from life on the farm, starts its eighth season from November 5.

How to farm without harm

Safer Farms, the organisation dedicated to recognising the benefits of on-farm health and safety, is on a mission to reframe psychosocial harm.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter