The black dog stigma

Warning: This story deals with the topic of suicide.

In New Zealand, figures released by Chief Coroner Deborah Marshall showed 654 people died from suicide in the year to June 2020 which is why I am here putting thoughts into words.

1 in 5 people suffer from some form of mental illness in their lifetime, 1 in 7 people will experience depression, and 13.01 per 100,000 people will take their life. Those are pretty harsh statistics

IT IS OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY!

We all have moments where the black dog creeps into our minds, some in more extreme ways than others but none the less. We all go through tough times, the point I want to drive home is "IT'S NOT HOW WE FELL DOWN, IT'S HOW WE GOT BACK UP"

My focus here is to raise awareness and get people talking/connecting/keeping in touch with each other

The way I wish to achieve this is as follows:

1. Combine my two passions, (dairy farming and running)

IF WE CAN RAISE $2200 BY 18th JUNE (approx $100 per km run) I WILL DO THIS EVENT IN MY GUMBOOTS

2. Pick an event and an organization to donate to

THE POSSUM NIGHT TRAIL RUN RAISING MONEY FOR WAIKATO HAURAKI COROMANDEL RURAL SUPPORT TRUST

3. Run.

EVENT ENTERED 1/2 MARATHON (approx 21km's)

DATE 19TH JUNE 2021, IN TAUPO

The main purpose of Rural Support is to support farmers and growers during times of adversity. Whether that is personal, in the business or due to a climatic event. Our service is available to offer one on one support or community support depending on the needs. We work closely with a wide range of agri businesses and sectors. We also run community wellbeing events. These are often free to those who earn their income from the land. More information on events can be found on our Facebook page. @ruralsupportwaikato

The service Rural Support Trust provides is INVALUBLE

In the Waikato we have a board, made up of volunteers across the region. These are from various backgrounds including farming, rural professionals, and health. We have 2 part time staff and a team of around 38 facilitators. The facilitators tend to be the ones who conduct the home visits and work one on one with individual farmers/growers (or those connected to agri sector). A large portion of the work done by WHC RST is done on a voluntary basis (even by the two part time staff)

Why am I doing this?

A lot of hearts broke with the news of a local farmer taking his life last year. I know this changes nothing about what has occurred, it is about changing what COULD occur.

If even 1 person opens up about the weight they feel on their shoulders this becomes a success.

Sometimes we don't quite realize the support we have, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO THINKS YOU ARE IMPORTANT.

I do this for both Domz and Kiel as a remembrance of the life they had. You may not be here anymore but you live forever in our hearts.

And most of all, I do this for all the people struggling. Let your voice be heard because together WE ARE ONE.

If you wish to talk to someone who is completely unbias to your situation call Rural Support Trust - 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)