“There’s no silver bullet coming out of Wellington or Auckland for this, we really need to have strong communities, and strong communities make strong people”.
A rural mental health advocate who has cultivated a registered charity and an international campaign to assuage mental challenges by regularly connecting, is hosting an evening at Club Waimea on 21 May to provide locals with tools to best support the mind.
The Lean on a Gate campaign is run by Craig ‘Wiggy’ Wiggins’ charity ‘Whatever with Wiggy’, and he’s teamed up with Clubs New Zealand for the event, which is part of a tour between Buller and Hamilton.
“We realise that Clubs New Zealand especially, are the best deal of connection within the community. A lot of people go there for good company and good meals, and they’ve realised that the work we’re doing is important, especially in the rural service industries,” he says.
“We really want people to understand how you have those conversations to support that person through whatever might be affecting their mental health and well-being.
“What we would also like to do is gather some names of people that want to be more involved in supporting their community and then come in for some training at a later date. If a few businesses want to get us into their space, I’m quite prepared to come on up and revisit them and have some shared meetings and help out.”
Craig says the event is not limited to the rural sector.
“Anybody that works in a public domain who might have concerns about their clients and colleagues and any family members can come and learn how we can have those professional and personal relationships and still support each other in a good honest space,” he says.
“Whether it’s rural or urban, people have a journey through mental health at any stage in their life, things can affect you when you least expect it, and the pressure can mount up when you least expect it.”
Craig says a barbeque kicks off the proceedings before a synopsis of his brainchild campaign, and former Māori All Black Slade McFarland will share his mental health challenges upon leaving the professional game and his mental health advocacy today.
Invercargill-based Forsyth Barr investment adviser Andrew ‘Roly’ Rowland will offload key insights to prevent and address financial pressure and workshops with the audience will conclude the event.
“We do a lot of work where we assess what’s in the room and what’s worrying people and how we can fix it within our own space,” Craig says. “But also we look to involve the Rural Support Trust and other organisations such as Police and GP’s that are available.”
The free event goes from 5.30pm to around 9pm.
