Taha hinengaro

Mental and emotional well-being: coherent thinking processes, acknowledging and expressing thoughts and feelings and responding constructively

Developing support structures for mental health in farming is a two step process.. First, immediate support is required to address the high suicide rate in the rural industry. This includes ensuring farmers have access to services such as counsellors and psychologists, which often are not available in rural communities. Financial support for charities such as Will to Live New Zealand and GumbootUp must be increased. We want to see the conversation about mental health continue to become normalised. Farmers must be able to maintain connection with one another as social connection is critical in sustaining mental health. New Zealand rural communities must be supported to create their own mental health and community building strategies so that they can support themselves and each other during tough times.

Secondly, structural changes are needed in the industry to prevent further decline in the mental health of people in the industry.The raft of changes in the farming world will inevitably cause a lot of stress for farmers. The mental health and wellbeing of farmers in what is already a tough industry to work in must be acknowledged by the government. We want to see a proactive approach to this health crisis. Farmers often feel misunderstood and attacked when it comes to climate change narratives. Empowering farmers to be the climate solution and appreciating the hard work they do, will help to support their mental health as we transition to a sustainable food future.

What would this look like in reality?

● Falling incidence of mental health diagnosis in rural communities

● Infrastructure to support farmers both professionally and socially is enhanced.

● Mental health is included in the health and safety act.

● Increase in mental health funding for rural communities.

● Increase in funding for charities such as Will to Live and Gumboot Up New Zealand.

● Clearer communication regarding legislation changes to decrease uncertainty and the stress this inevitably causes.

Taha tinana

Physical well-being: the physical body, its growth, development, and ability to move, and ways of caring for it

Healthy balanced lives should be encouraged for the agricultural sector, with good diets, exercise and balance. We strongly support the work of Farmstrong in creating awareness of the connections between mental and physical health and farmers ability to support their business. Farmers have a right to physical health. While there are health and safety acts focussed on reducing physical harm, physical manifestations of mental stress such as burn-out must also be addressed.

Youth also have a leadership role to play in this - it is critical that young farmers coming into the industry are supported to prioritise their health. Youth are essential in building a new system that places individual and community, and environmental health at its core.

When it comes to physical health, the impacts of agriculture extend beyond those working in the industry. Everyone consumes food. The nutrition and quality of produce grown by our farmers impacts the physical health of those who will likely never visit the whenua where food originates.

What would this look like in reality?

● Employers promote staff wellness on farms across New Zealand.

● The ‘She’ll be right’ attitude when it comes to health is replaced by more compassion.

● Farmers have the ability to take time away from the farm when needed for health and respite

Taha whanau

Social well-being: family relationships, friendships, and other interpersonal relationships; feelings of belonging, compassion, and caring; and social support

Social connections and relationships are an incredibly important pillar of wellbeing. Social relationships play a key role in farmer health, whether that be with family, friends, h suppliers and producers, the community, or the wider New Zealand public.

Personal support systems are essential, but there is also potential to improve wider industry-public relationships for the benefit of farmer health. We must foster greater connection between farmers and the public. This will help reconfigure the climate change narrative to one of connection and common purpose. Deeper understanding of each other's perceptions and differences will allow farmers to be seen as the allies they are. Relationships between urban and rural groups must be actively supported to ensure our transitions are driven by compassion, authentic communication, and respect.

Similarly, farmers must be supported to utilise their social connections to improve their transition experiences. There is opportunity for cohesion and collaboration within and between farming communities, including sharing of resources and ideas as they adapt to new systems of farming. Transitioning to a regenerative food future is about taking communities with us, and enabling them to be supported and connected as they drive their own future..

What would this look like in reality?

● Emphasise social support structures in funding schemes and within industry to increase social resilience.

• Support local events, such as summits and field days; potentially using the successful model of the Red Meat Profit Partnership groups.

• Build platforms for resource sharing, and community asset pools that farmers can utilise to support their transitions.

• Support farmer-led knowledge sharing where farmers can learn about new farming styles from people they trust within their social networks.

● Food systems are designed with care and compassion - the creation of a ‘caring economy’ for food and agriculture in New Zealand.

Taha wairua

Spiritual well-being: the values and beliefs that determine the way people live, the search for meaning and purpose in life, and personal identity and self-awareness (For some individuals and communities, spiritual well- being is linked to a particular religion; for others, it is not.)

Shifting to a new form of agriculture that is centred on the health of ecosystems is a big change. Some values and beliefs built into the existing agriculture system will be shaken. What it means to be a ‘good farmer’ and to be ‘masculine’ is shifting, as we learn more about sustainability, gender identity, and mental health. These are large topics, and can often challenge existing constructs of what it means to be a farmer. Reconnecting people to Papatūānuku, the land, and each other is a process that takes time. It also takes a lot of learning and self reflection, and can therefore be confronting and uncertain. It is important that we support farmers through this transition. Rebuilding a positive identity for farming in New Zealand starts at the core of redefining the values and beliefs upon which the system is built. We must create a space for people to shift to a new paradigm of thinking, and ensure they feel supported to take this leap. Farmers need opportunities to openly and honestly engage in these spaces, while being able to feel proud of their land, and the work they do to shift to a regenerative food system.

What would this look like in reality?

● Stigma is removed from conversations about health and spiritual connections to the land and dialogue is transparent and compassionate.

● Clear and accessible pathways of education and support for farmers who want to be good stewards but may not know how to be. Create safe spaces to ask questions.

● Normalise mindset development as a part of sustainability transitions.

● Connect farmers to their values and purpose to empower aligned actions.