Tractor Trek Feelings for Life 2022

Twelve tractors are going off-farm and on-road to support children's wellbeing.

Mental wellbeing educator Cat Levine and the tractors will visit different towns from New Plymouth to Napier 14 - 26 February 2022 to support children's mental health and raise funds in the Feelings for Life tractor trek.

Sith the country in the red traffic light setting, instead of going into schools to deliver a presentation, the tractors will park up outside of the schools.

"I usually give a talk and then the kids can get an up-close look of the tractors. We've had to change our plan so now we will park outside the school, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing while the children can view the tractors from a distance."

The funds raised will help Cat create more educational resources, videos, and worksheets for parents and teachers to access to help children build positive mental health.

"I have some resources already available at https://www.feelingsforlife.org/think-and-be-tv but I want to create more that teachers can complete with their pupils, and parents can watch at home with their children. They're child-friendly and engaging. Having to cancel the school presentations is sad, but also it has given me the time to create more resources which can be reached by wider audiences to help more people."

NZ suicide rates are among the highest in the world, especially with our youth. Mental illness is known as the silent pandemic.

"One in four Kiwi kids will experience a mental health issue before the age of 18 and fifty percent of mental health conditions start before the age of 12."