Dairying women main advocates for health of farm family

MEDIA RELEASE
3 May 2011

Dairying women main advocates for health of farm family

The Dairy Women’s Network kicks off their next national series of Dairy Days on Tuesday, 10 May. The national workshops, entitled ‘FarmHer Wellbeing,’ will focus on encouraging dairying women to take hold of their physical and emotional health now.

The workshops will feature experts in women’s health, with a focus on strengthening emotional wellbeing. Presenters include: Claire Welch, Agricultural Recovery Facilitator for Rural Support Trust Southland, presenting in the South Island; and Wayne Morris of Future Edge Ltd presenting in the North Island.

This year’s topic is a timely one according to Lynda Clark, Acting General Manager of Dairy Women’s Network. She cites recent reports coming out of the 28 April Federated Farmers Taranaki Meat and Fibre Section Conference, which highlight the need to tackle emotional health issues in the rural sector. The chief coroner, Neil Mclean, spoke at this conference and reported that the number of suicides among the male farmer population is proportionally higher than other sectors of society.

“Because women in dairying are so vital to the physical and emotional health of everyone on the farm, this year’s workshops aim to strengthen her role as she deals with the overall wellbeing of herself and her farming family,” says Ms Clark. “We also want to help her build a network of support among women in agriculture because she doesn’t need to be alone.”

“Along with our fantastic presenters, there will be a nurse specialist at each workshop that will explain what health checks women should be attending to based on which stage of life they are in,” Ms Clark said. “Physical and mental wellbeing go hand-in-hand and we want to provide the necessary resources for dairying women so they can meet their full potential.”

Claire Welch, this year’s South Island presenter agrees. “I have to say I am passionate about the welfare and health of our people in the industry. I see some worrying trends in my work for the Rural Support Trust.”

“I believe I can relate and empathise with women in dairying, because I have been one myself and have had some very challenging life experiences,” says Ms Welch. “I have been able to work through and learn so much.”

The workshops will show women in dairying how to develop strategies to keep themselves and their families well throughout the busy, challenging and multifaceted life on and off the farm.

Because physical symptoms can mask emotional issues, attendees will learn what they should be doing to keep themselves physically well as the first line of defense to overall health. They will also take away with them information on how to strengthen their own emotional wellbeing by learning how to identify, handle and look after their and others’ emotional health.

“I believe a practical approach to information is essential so participants can leave and have tools they can put into practice easily,” says Ms Welch. “There are many opportunities within the workshops for working through real life scenarios and opportunities to chat among each other.”

The North Island presenter, Wayne Morris, is the Managing Director of Future Edge Ltd. Mr. Morris has facilitated emotional health workshops all over the country. His workshops emphasise the impact of stress, anxiety and depression on the body.

“This will be a very different set of Dairy Days for Dairy Women’s Network,” says Ms Clark. “We felt it was so important to offer this to New Zealand’s dairying women. These women are not only taking care of themselves but are also the main advocates for others in their dairy businesses.”

For more information on the workshops call 07 838 5238 or go to www.dwn.co.nz.

-ENDS-

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