Year in Review: This letter, released by DairyNZ, struck a chord with The Country earlier this year. It was from an architectural designer in Auckland who wanted to illustrate urban support for New Zealand farmers and to raise awareness of rural mental health for Mental Health Week in September.
Despite the everyday pressures of farming, dairy farmers are doing okay and supporting each other through what are tough times for many, DairyNZ's strategy and investment leader Dr Jenny Jago says.
"Our farmers are busy ensuring the environment is protected and caring for their people and animals. Many of them are reporting that they feel stress, anxiety, fatigue and even depression from time to time" she said.
"Statistics for the past year show that almost one in five farmers has contacted someone for help with personal issues.
"That is a high number, but what's important is that they recognised their need for support and took action to get it."
Along with media coverage calling for New Zealanders to get behind farmers, such as Kerre McIvor on Newstalk ZB and her Herald on Sunday column, members of the public had been contacting DairyNZ to express their support.
