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Disclaimer: This article discusses suicide and mental health.

With World Suicide Prevention Day today and Mental Health Awareness Week coming up, it is a good time to stop for a minute and talk about how we are actually doing.

The tough reality is that both agriculture and manufacturing are demanding, high-pressure industries. New Zealanders in rural areas and industrial sectors face heavy workloads and significant mental health challenges. These aren’t just statistics ; they’re our neighbours, sharemilkers, factory operators, floor supervisors, farmhands, long-time mates, and family members.

A big part of why farming and manufacturing can feel like such pressure cookers comes down to how much falls outside our control. On the farm, you’re balancing workload and financial pressure against volatile commodity prices, changing regulations, and extreme weather. In manufacturing, you’re juggling tight production deadlines, supply chain bottlenecks, shift work, and market shifts. Add in long hours, physical strain, and an old-school culture that tells us to just “harden up,” and it creates a heavy weight to carry alone.

That’s where wellbeing initiatives can help us live and work well. Whether it’s rural programmes like Farmstrong or workplace support on the factory floor, focusing on practical advice helps break down the stigma. It gives us real tools to manage stress, prioritise sleep, step away from the job, and look out for each other.

You don’t need to be a counselor or have all the answers to make a difference. Most of the time, it comes down to noticing changes in a mate. Maybe they’re unusually quiet, short-tempered, skipping local catch-ups, or just looking completely worn out. A simple “Hey mate, you seem a bit off lately, how are things going?” goes a long way. You don’t have to fix their problems. Just stepping away from the daily work tasks and listening without judgment, letting them know you’ve got their back, and connecting them to support can make all the difference.

Where to Turn for Support

If things are feeling heavy for you or someone you work with, don’t carry it alone:

• Farmstrong: Visit farmstrong.co.nz for practical wellbeing resources.
• Rural Support Trust: Call 0800 787 254 for free, confidential support from people who understand farming.
• Need to Talk?: Free call or text 1737 anytime to speak with a trained counselor.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) open 24/7.