Friday, 05 June 2015 11:51

New rural wellbeing initiative

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Rural insurer FMG is this week launching a mental health initiative aimed at the rural community.

Working with the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, FMG has devised a programme intended to help farmers, growers and rural people look to their personal health and wellness.

Called Farmstrong, it launches on June 3, offering practical resources to improve farmers’ wellbeing by better preparing them to deal with the ups and downs of living and working in rural businesses.

“Farmstrong’s focus on wellbeing aims to provide farmers and their families with access to resources and information through its website, which will help them to live well and farm well,” says FMG spokesman Colin Wright.  

It will also encourage rural communities and farmers to connect with each other via social media, regional farmer ambassadors and regionally focused programmes and events to be announced at the launch.

“This is an important and timely initiative for us and the Mental Health Foundation to be supporting,” says FMG chief executive Chris Black. “It has the potential to make a positive difference for all farmers, their families and staff, and to support the rural sector’s growth objectives for five-ten years.” 

A Farmstrong website will be live from June 3.

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