North Canterbury Rural Support Trust chairman Andy Munro says there are a range of pressures on farmers, including the ongoing effects of the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak, and new water quality and environmental legislation. The rural support trust has volunteer facilitators, with basic mental health training, throughout the North Canterbury region, which covers from Rakaia River to Kaikoura. ''They are all farmers or retired farmers and they've been through hard times themselves, so they know what you are going through - they get it.'' The North Canterbury Rural Support Trust is offering four first-aid courses during November and December, in partnership with the North Canterbury Farmers Charitable Trust, which is another chance for farmers to get off farm. To contact the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust, phone 0800 787254, go online to rural-support.org.nz, or follow the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust page on Facebook.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 04, 2019 01:18 UTC