3 minute read
Starting the conversation
After seeing the effects of stigma surrounding mental health touch the lives of those in the agricultural sector, Taranaki artist Paul Rangiwahia has been inspired to look past the surface and create a special piece of artwork for the Rural Support Trust.
Growing up in Hawera, south taranaki, Paul is no stranger to farming. Motivated by the strain he was witnessing on his friends and family and buoyed by his success in his own mental health battle in 2014, Paul began his journey into the mental health support space. The development of his Mental Warrant of Fitness artwork (currently on display outside New Plymouth’s Puke Ariki museum) was his first foray into how art could support positive conversations about wellbeing. “I’ve been involved in the mental health side of things for over 6 years and have developed my own niche through using artwork to help start conversations. The conversations are about things that we’re all going through, as none of us are immune to environmental, social or pyschological pressure,” Paul says. Following the success of the Mental WoF in schools and with businesses, Paul turned to the agricultural sector. Aware of the pressure that farmers were facing from the media and environmental regulations on top of usual on-farm stress, Paul became frustrated that conversations around the mental health of farmers were not happening. In a bid to lend his hand to the fight against the stigma, Paul approached Mike Green, a trustee of the Rural Support Trust in early 2020 and together they developed The Top Six Inches fundraising initiative. Inspired by the concept that the top six inches of the brain houses resilience and that the majority of a plant’s roots sit under the top six inches of soil, the artwork acts as a reminder to farmers to look after their wellbeing. Founded on people helping people during difficult times, Mike and the Rural Support Trust jumped at the chance to be involved. “The messaging within the work is really important, it’s about keeping things in perspective and focussing on only controlling the things that you can control,” Mike says. “We picked it up as a great opportunity to help farmers.” The Top-Six Inches print is now available for sale from the Rural Support Trust — all profits from each print will go towards the Trust. The initiative, which launched in mid-November 2020, is gaining traction with the original artwork being sold for $9,000. “The things that I talk about in my art are just common sense, it’s not in your face and I hope that people can connect with it. What I’ve realised is that the biggest barrier for getting better is talking about what we’re feeling,” Paul says. “Art breaks the stigma and even though no one has all the answers and there’s no one size that fits all — for farmers it starts the conversation with themselves or with family and friends.”
| The Top Six Inches is available through the Rural Support Trust.
The Top-Six Inches prints are available from the Rural Support Trust website on www.rural-support.org.nz or by calling 0800 787 254.
WE SUPPORT PROVINCIAL BUSINESSES TOO.
FMG has been a big part of rural and provincial New Zealand for over 115 years. But we haven’t just been insuring farmers and growers, we also help the businesses that support these communities. We have a team of commercial specialists right across the country to provide advice and go through your insurance needs. If you’d like to talk give us a call on 0800 366 466 or visit fmg.co.nz
FMG client pictured: Agrisea Hauraki plains, Paeroa
