It's time to close the gap on rural mental health and wellbeing outcomes
Rural Women New Zealand this week submitted on the Draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2036, because a person’s postcode should not determine the quality of their mental health support.
The strategy sets out how New Zealand will create a system that promotes mental health and wellbeing for all, and provides mental health and addiction support and services that meet people's needs.
Rural Women New Zealand welcomes the strategy's direction, and has used its submission to bring the lived reality of rural communities to the Ministry of Health's attention.
"Anyone who has lived rurally knows that getting help is rarely simple," says Bronwyn Main, Health Policy Action Advisory Group Convenor.
"You might be hours from the nearest service, juggling the farm, the kids, the animals and still trying to find the courage to ask for help in a small community,” she says.
The submission draws on the experiences of RWNZ members to show how distance, cost, stigma, and workforce shortages combine to push rural people to crisis point before they can access support.
It also makes the case that mental wellbeing cannot be separated from the broader pressures of rural life, from farm finances to extreme weather events to the slow loss of local services.
"In a small rural community, you notice when someone is not doing well. You notice when they stop coming to things, when they go quiet, when the mail is piling up in the letterbox. And nine times out of ten it is a neighbour, or someone at the school gate, or the postie on their rounds who notices first and does something about it.
"Some of the most important conversations I’ve had have been leaning against a four-wheel drive in a paddock, just listening.
"Rural is not just urban with longer driveways, and we want to see that understood when this strategy is put into action," says Bronwyn Main.
You can read Rural Women New Zealand’s full submission here
Where to get help
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 25
Need to talk?
Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline
0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE).
Youthline
0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat Samaritans 0800 726 666.
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (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
- ENDS -
Media contacts:
Georgia Nelson
Communications & Advocacy Manager
021 530 769
georgia.nelson@ruralwomennz.nz
About Rural Women New Zealand
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is a nationwide charitable membership organisation with a proud history over nearly 100 years of empowering and supporting women at the heart of rural communities. With regional branches and groups across the country providing connection and support, we are recognised as a leader across the rural sector and provide a trusted voice on issues affecting rural communities. You can learn more about RWNZ on our website at https://www.ruralwomennz.nz/