Chartered accountants training up to help tackle rural stress

The various challenges associated with working the land make farming one of the country's most stressful occupations. Photo / Christine McKay

Chartered accountants are being trained to do more for farmers and rural businesses than just look after the books.

As part of a series of workshops organised by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), rural chartered accountants are being trained to recognise, and support, the mental health challenges faced by their clients.

CA ANZ central North Island regional manager Neal McDiarmid said the combined challenges of working on the land, ongoing technological changes and having little control over events such as droughts make farming one of the country's most stressful occupations.

However, research has shown that people living in rural areas visit mental health specialists less often than their urban counterparts.

"Rural chartered accountants have very close relationships – sometimes friendships – with their clients, often spanning generations of farmers," Mr McDiarmid said.

"Many have come from farming backgrounds and have a solid knowledge of farming.

"The level of trust is high, which places chartered accountants in a unique position to spot changes in behaviour that makes them think 'something is not right here and I need to take action'.

"Our workshops will give them confidence and knowledge on how to handle these situations appropriately."

CA ANZ is also working with primary health organisation WellSouth to train GoodYarn workshop facilitators.

Members will be able to attend a workshop in Hastings tomorrow.It will include advice on how to recognise the signs of stress and common mental health problems, practical tools to help CA ANZ members start a conversation when they are concerned about someone and how to access the right support services.

The CA ANZ workshops will also teach members how to look after their own wellbeing.

"It's great to see corporate and social responsibility brought together through organisations like Chartered Accountants ANZ providing GoodYarn workshops to their members," WellSouth programme manager Louise Thompson said.

CA ANZ is also planning to run wellbeing workshops for its urban members.

The activities are part of the organisation's CA Wellbeing initiative which aims to support the mental wellbeing of members and provide them with knowledge and confidence to manage mental health challenges faced by their clients.

WHERE TO GET HELP

If you are worried about yours or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.

Or if you need to talk to someone else:
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
OUTLINE: 0800 688 5463 (confidential service for the LGBTQI+ community, their friends and families)
RURAL SUPPORT TRUST: 0800 787 254.