Rural Support Trust Time Out Tour hits Canterbury

Rural Support Trust Ambassador, TV presenter turned sheep and beef farmer Matt Chisholm, has brought his Time Out Tour to Canterbury in recent weeks.

] by Kent Caddick

Chisholm signed on as the Trust’s inaugural Ambassador last year and has been on a nationwide tour talking about mental wellness and resilience. So far, he has visited 12 rural communities and connected with more than 2,500 people.

Chisholm started the tour in Southland and Stewart Island in June, then headed to the Bay of Plenty, Top of the South, Gisborne, Ashburton, Otago, Taranaki, Taupo, Cambridge and North Canterbury.

His most recent stop was in Timaru where he was hosted by the South Canterbury Rural Support Trust.

Chisholm has shared openly about his mental health struggles. Through the tour, he has been talking about his personal experiences and how he found a way through.

Key to getting Chisholm into the role has been Taranaki Rural Support Trust Chairman and long-time family friend Mike Green.

“Matt told his story in public for the first time at an event the Trust hosted in New Plymouth in 2020, shortly after the screening of his documentary, Man Enough,” Green said.

“Matt’s role as our ambassador is about remaining mentally resilient through tough times. We’ve partnered with him because he has an important message to share with rural people, to give hope that there is a way through whatever difficulties individuals and families may be facing.”

Green said the Trust has received overwhelming positive feedback from those who have attended the Time Out Tour events across the country.

He said Matt’s story is resonating because people can relate to the challenges and experiences he shares.

“This Tour is about giving people in our rural communities the confidence to talk to each other about what they’re going through. We want to remind people that they’re not alone. When things get tough, we can lose sight of those around us who can relate to our own struggles and help us find a way forward.

“We are seeing evidence that Matt’s tour is helping. After each event, people are reaching out to the Rural Support Trust and other like-minded organisations for support. As Matt tours other parts of the country, we hope more people are inspired and feel confident about reaching out for help.”

Chisholm’s battles are documented in Imposter, a book he published last year supported by the Mental Health Foundation.

Speaking of his Ambassadorship role, Chisholm said he likes the good work the Rural Support Trust does, largely behind the scenes.

“I want people to understand how the Trust can help them in their communities, so