A rural wellbeing programme designed to give farmers and rural people access to counselling sessions has received more than $30,000 for it to continue.
Earlier this year, the Rural Change Fund (born out of the Will to Live Charitable Trust) was forced to pause due to insignificant funding - right when it was needed most.
For the 18 months leading up to the halt, it provided three free counselling sessions to more than 350 rural people.
Elle Perriam and Jess Photo: supplied
At the time, founder Elle Perriam told Country Life demand peaked after Cyclone Gabrielle, and the five years of fundraising efforts quickly vanished.
"Applications skyrocketed through the roof, as expected, and we couldn't keep up with the demand and it was heart-wrenching to have to turn people away ... or not turn them away but put them on a waitlist till we receive more support and funding," she said at the time.
However, this week Perriam told Country Life in the past six weeks, she was able to start clearing the waitlist with funds raised since the beginning of winter.
"We're just incredibly grateful that rural New Zealand came onboard and helped support us through that time.
"There are so many stresses that a farmer or someone in a rural space endures in their lifetime and a lot of it are factors out of their control. If we can help alleviate any pressure at all - that's the least that we can do."
Perriam said donations of $10,000 from One NZ and Royal Canin plus a further $12,500 donation from state-owned farming company Pāmu enabled the wellbeing programme to work through their waitlist.
However, further donations are still coming in and more is needed to ensure the programme continues.
Perriam said the continued funding would enable her to open a new round of Rural Change applications.
"We know from last year's forecast that September-October we had the most applicants all year. I don't know if it's something to do with the change of season, but it seemed to be the spike that put us in a deficit.
"I'm grateful for what's about to come in and people supporting us as I am preparing for another spike."
Perriam said she had changed the programme slightly to ensure she could help as many people as possible.
Previously, the programme allocated about $500 to each applicant for private therapy sessions to help curb the public health system waitlist of six to eight weeks.
Now, Perriam is funding one session and providing a personal health professional guide for their area and the applicant's goals.
"We found a lot of people were emailing us just to be put in touch with practitioners. A lot of people were wanting to seek help, they just didn't know where to go.
"This means we can spread that funding around a bit further."
Photo: supplied
Perriam said it was paramount rural people had a wellbeing programme designed for them, allowing for counselling sessions to be as easy and accessible as possible.
"Those in rural communities have more than financial or cultural limiting factors but are very far away from cities where predominantly the health professionals are.
"A lot of what we offer is potential to see practitioners online, so they can do it from their own home."
Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie said he felt Pāmu had a responsibility to support the organisations who were at the coalface of farmers' mental well-being.
"Stress and burnout are real risks for our rural communities, and it takes courage to reach out for help.
"As New Zealand’s largest farmer, we are very conscious of our responsibilities to our people and communities."
Leslie said he was proud to back Rural Change who were not only innovative but also leading positive change.
Where to get help:
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
- What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7 days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
- Healthline: 0800 611 116
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155\
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)
- If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
