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Michelle Thompson, chief executive of RHĀNZ.
The Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHĀNZ) is taking a lead role in two of the Government's rural mental wellness initiatives announced at Fieldays yesterday.
The first announcement includes the development of a Framework to Improve Mental Health and Addiction Outcomes for rural New Zealanders and the second is a continuation of the Emergency Response to Support Rural Mental Health.
RHĀNZ will work with both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Primary Industries over the coming year.
"The Framework is a long overdue and exciting piece of work," says Michelle Thompson, chief executive of RHĀNZ.
"Shortly we will begin recruiting a team of experts from within the RHĀNZ membership - and other key stakeholder groups - to help us with this important and complex piece of work.
"We will also be continuing our work upskilling rural health professionals in suicide prevention strategies and strengthening the clinical linkages between rural health services on the ground and the rural support trusts around the country.
"We know that mental health outcomes are poorer for rural communities than urban communities."
Improving mental health and addiction outcomes and minimising suicide risk for rural populations is a top priority for all 42 members of RHĀNZ.
"Ensuring our rural communities have improved access to high quality, safe and effective health services that are able to enhance their mental wellbeing and social cohesiveness will be a key focus for this Framework," says Dr Jo Scott-Jones, chairperson of RHĀNZ.
RHĀNZ Council member and Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson Katie Milne says this is a much needed resource in rural communities.
"Farmers are doing it tough at the moment and when times get rough we need a responsive system in place to provide expert support quickly," Dr Jo Scott-Jones.
"We're pleased this programme is continuing into the next phase; the longevity and sustainability of this important programme is a top priority.
"We believe RHĀNZ is expertly placed to lead this work as we bring together a valuable combination of rural health professionals, rural industry and rural community groups which is exactly what this complex issue needs,"
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
When visiting the Central Districts field days, make sure you pick up a free copy of Farmstrong's Getting Through book.
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.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says while people are opening about mental health, there’s still disproportionately high rates of suicide and depression in rural communities.
Farmers' relationships with their banks are “absolutely” having an impact on their mental health.
Federated Farmers says the final report into banking competition is a significant step forward for rural New Zealand - and a vindication of the farming sector's concern.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride expects a strong mandate from farmers shareholders for the proposed sale of its consumer and related businesses to Lactalis for $3.8 billion.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the sale of the co-op’s consumer and associated businesses to Lactalis represents a great outcome for the co-op.
The world’s largest milk company Lactalis has won the bid for Fonterra’s global consumer and associated businesses.
Fonterra has increased its 2024/25 forecast Farmgate Milk Price from $10/kgMS to $10.15/kgMS.
Farmer lobby group Federated Farmers has announced it is supporting a new Member’s Bill which it says could bring clarity to New Zealand farmers and save millions in legal costs.
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