Round: 9 May 2009
HELPING MORE MATES
Many of you will have met John Harper at events around the area, seen his initial DVD, or heard of him in the media or this newsletter. John is a farmer from Stockinbingal who, in 2006 began running what came to be known as Mate Helping Mate events in his surrounding communities. John recognised that as a consequence of the continuing drought and other factors, many of his neighbours were becoming isolated or socially withdrawn. Having experienced depression, John understood that this isolation and withdrawal placed people at risk of developing a mental illness.
From 2007 and continuing now, John has given a lot of his time to speak at rural mental health, drought and general agribusiness events. He talks about his own experience of depression, and also what individual and communities can do to support each other during difficult times. Mate Helping Mate is a very simple concept, and it appears that people ‘just get it’. John is terrific in explaining depression, stress and anxiety very simply and importantly addresses ‘getting help’ in a practical and easily understood manner. John’s growing reputation has resulted in requests for speaking engagements from all over NSW (most of which he does voluntarily).
John and his band of willing helpers got together last year to produce a second DVD, again titled ‘Mate Helping Mate’. The purpose was to film a typical Mate Helping Mate presentation – a talk by John to farmers in a shearing shed. The aim was that the resulting DVD could be provided to people living in isolated communities where access to information was limited. Alternatively it was hoped that people who for various reasons (such as social withdrawal or pride) do not access services or attend similar presentations, would be able to view the programme in their own home.
The new DVD has three components: the original ‘Mate Helping Mate’ programme; the new ‘John’s Story’ which is the shearing shed presentation; and finally statements of support from beyondblue. ‘John’s Story’ covers depression, anxiety, stress, problem solving, impacts on decision making, and seeking help. It also covers ‘helping others’ or ‘mate helping mate’. John has a humorous and entertaining way of delivering his messages, and many farmers will see the value in the analogies he uses (which mostly relate to farming equipment, machinery or animals) to get his point across.
The DVD is available from www.vinnies.org.au or 02 9560 8666. NSW DPI Drought Support Workers also have copies (contact Don Burrowes on 0427 324 033) as does Merilyn Limbrick, Rural Mental Health Project Officer (0428 249 719).
Channel Nine has recognised John Harper’s wonderful work in a new programme titled Random Acts of Kindness which was filmed at Stockinbingal on a very hot day in January. Scott Cam of Channel Nine is the presenter and James Blundell was a special guest. The programme date is yet to be announced but we are told ‘mid year’. Watch for a few surprises during the programme!
Sow the seeds of good mental health. Reap the benefits……
For advice, information and assistance relating to mental wellbeing or drought, or for strategies to help a friend, family or community member, please contact:
· Your doctor or other health professional
· The 24 hour, free NSW Rural Mental Health Support Line – 1800 201 123
· In an emergency dial ‘000’ and your local Hospital Emergency Department
· Department of Primary Industries Drought Hotline - 1800 814 647
· Centrelink Drought Assistance line - 13 23 16
· Beyondblue – the national depression initiative – www.beyondblue.org.au