The pressures of farming include long hours, geographic isolation, and unpredictable workloads. Recent economic challenges combine with regulatory pressures, adding to the toll on individuals and productivity, retention, and the bottom line of agribusinesses.
As we navigate a landscape marked by extreme weather, volatile markets, and rising costs, addressing mental health in rural New Zealand is no longer optional but a business and community imperative.
Recent data paints a stark picture. A 2023 Dairy NZ survey revealed that 48% of farmers reported mental health challenges on their farms, with 60% noting a lack of sufficient mental health support. Compounding this, 25% of farmers faced inadequate staffing levels, and 29% struggled to find skilled workers.
These operational challenges—labour shortages, unpredictable workloads, and seasonal rostering—create a perfect storm for stress, fatigue, and farmer’s burnout. Add to this the unique stressors of farming, such as financial uncertainty, weather dependency, and regulatory changes, and it becomes clear why mental health is a perpetual concern.
At Findex, we work closely with rural clients, not just on financial services but also on human resources and health and safety. This gives us a unique lens into both the commercial realities of farming and the human toll behind it. We see firsthand how neglecting mental health leads to reduced productivity, higher absenteeism, and workplace accidents.
More critically, it drives away talent in an industry where experienced workers are already hard to come by. As one farmer put it, losing a skilled worker to burnout is like losing years of hard-earned knowledge—an investment no farm can afford to squander.
The urgency of this issue is amplified by recent events. Through 2023 and 2024, farmers faced devastating weather events, from droughts to floods, alongside market fluctuations and rising costs. These external pressures exacerbate feelings of isolation and anxiety, particularly for small-scale farmers and family-run operations with fewer resources to access support.
A 2014 ACC study identified key risk factors for farmers’ mental health, including uncontrollable elements like weather and regulations, as well as manageable ones like workloads and finances. Yet, a decade later, many of these challenges persist, and the expectation for employers to manage “psychosocial risks”—workplace factors that harm mental well-being—has only grown.
Agribusinesses don’t need to sacrifice productivity to support mental health; small, practical steps can make a big difference.
Clear communication and role clarity reduces stress by ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities. Regular check-ins, even brief fortnightly one-on-ones, allow managers to spot early signs of burnout and address concerns before they escalate. Leadership training is critical, equipping managers to lead by example and foster a supportive culture. Realistic rostering and encouraging staff to take breaks, especially during peak seasons like harvest, can also go a long way.
Now, one of the sad realities of mental health initiatives is that talk is both cheap and abundant. Action, on the other hand, can be hard to find. Our HR and Health and Safety teams offer tailored tools, training sessions, employee engagement surveys, leadership coaching, and policy development to identify stress points and improve communication.
Mental health is not a solo effort. There are inspiring examples of progress, with some farms partnering with initiatives like Farmstrong and the Rural Support Trust to promote well-being and share strategies for mental resilience.
This is a call to action for farmers, agribusiness leaders, and policymakers. Mental health is a business issue, not just a personal one.
Supervisors should review rostering practices and check in with their teams. Leaders must ensure policies reflect the legal and ethical responsibility to manage psychosocial risks. Policymakers should invest in rural mental health services to bridge the gap in support, as 60% of farmers in the Dairy NZ survey highlighted.
No step is too small. Whether it’s a quick conversation or a new training program, every action counts.
New Zealand’s rural communities deserve workplaces that nurture both people and profit. By investing in mental health, we’re not just supporting individuals; we’re safeguarding the future of our farms and the heart of our rural economy.
Let’s start today.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the thought or position of Findex.
See our disclosure information on our website https://www.findex.co.nz/disclaimers/disclaimer-and-disclosure
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