Farmlands, Rural Support Trust and ignite launch free mental health support for rural communities

SECTOR UPDATE - Ignite Aotearoa

Farmers, growers, farm workers and their whānau across Aotearoa now have easier access to free mental health and wellbeing support through a new partnership between Farmlands, Rural Support Trust and ignite.

Announced at Fieldays 2026, the three-year initiative will provide more than 1,500 free wellbeing sessions, connecting rural New Zealanders with counsellors, psychologists and other mental health and wellbeing professionals. Support can be accessed online, by phone or in person, helping overcome common barriers such as travel time, cost and limited local services.

The initiative aligns with the Government's draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026–2036, which identifies rural communities as experiencing poorer mental health outcomes:
https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-04/Draft-Mental-Health-and-Wellbeing-Strategy-2026-2036.pdf

The service is available through Rural Support Trust, which provides confidential support across 14 regions across New Zealand. Bookings are now open via https://ruralsupport.ignite.org.nz/providers

Source: Ignite Aotearoa media release

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