With drought, floods and tornadoes wreaking havoc in various regions recently, farmer well-being is a vitally important topic.

Even at the best of times farming can be stressful, which is where the Rural Support Trust is ready to step in.

A team of rural people whose aim is to help those most in need, the Rural Support Trust’s trained facilitators travel to wherever they are required. Contact is one-on-one, services are free, confidential, and available to anyone who makes the majority of their income from primary industry.

During and after an adverse weather or environmental event the Trust works with Civil Defence to provide information and access to emergency or ongoing aid, such as stock rescue; access to rural assistance payments; labour; and whatever else might be required.

Local rural people know from experience that severe weather, finances, relationships, and work pressures can mount up. Via the Trust they are on hand with the networks and training to help in all kinds of situations, and to point struggling farmers in the right direction to assist them in overcoming personal or financial challenges. 

Contact the Rural Support Trust any time. Call 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP), or www.rural-support.org.nz for a confidential chat about you, your business, the weather, your finances; or a neighbour, partner, friend, family member, or worker.