Christine Boucher - Adapting to change

adapting to change by Christine Boucher

GIPPSLAND HAS HAD TO ADJUST AND ADAPT TO ITS FAIR SHARE OF RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FROM DROUGHT, BUSHFIRE, FLOODS AND A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

THE CUMULATIVE EXTERNAL STRESSORS ARE IMPACTING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. WITH NO TIME FOR REPRIEVE AND REST, WE HAVE BEEN DEALT SOME OF NATURE’S LOW BLOWS AND THEN KICKED A LITTLE MORE WHILST DOWN.

In 2021 RFCS Gippsland has adapted its services to better support the needs of the community. For over 30 years, RFCS Gippsland has supported the financial health of Gippsland’s primary producers and small rural businesses providing free financial counselling, planning and support services. RFCS Gippsland now offers wellness support to clients.

The compounded stressors have increased and exacerbated clients’ overwhelm and mental health. RFCS Gippsland are responding to a duty of care implementing a wellness program, providing Wellness Support Officers (WSO) within Gippsland to support clients health and well-being. The WSO will be supporting clients at home, triaging their health needs by referring and helping client’s access and action healthcare services both online and in person.

The development of an RFCS Detect and Protect Training (ADAPT) wellness program is being developed for WSO’s across Gippsland. The ADAPT program provides training, mentoring and supports WSO’s to improve the Health & Wellness of their clients, helping them to be mentally prepared and in a more conducive mindset to make considered, longterm business changes. RFCS Gippsland have become a complete wrap around service supporting clients with their mental, social, emotional, and physical health, as well as financial well-being.

RFCS Gippsland have adapted their client services and support in response to;

The Australian National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2020-2023) which reaffirms all governments’ commitment to implement systems-based approaches to suicide prevention, and commitments to a wholeof-government approach, where accountability for reducing suicide rates is shared across multiple portfolios.

The Royal Commission’s Mental Health System Final Report | National Centre for Farmer Health has released its Final Report containing 65 recommendations. The commission’s vision is for a mental health and wellbeing system that adapts and responds to the needs of all Victorians, including supporting rural and regional with improved access to high-quality services.

“Our rural financial counsellors identified that some clients were just not able to make business decisions due to the stress caused by the multiple crisis events they faced. The wellness program offered by RFCS Gippsland now provides another support network, and dedicated Wellness Officers, and helps our clients understand and plan to improve their wellbeing, which in turn assists with making better business decisions about their future. “- Kylie Holmes CEO RFCS Gippsland

Christine Boucher from Natural Health Balance, in collaboration with RFCS Gippsland developed and delivered a pilot program with clients in East Gippsland which delivered outstanding results. The main challenges for farmers and small business owners is the struggle to find time away from their business to see a healthcare professional, often having many barriers preventing them accessing or actioning the help they need. Having support at their kitchen table promotes early intervention, providng an easy and direct roadmap to navigate the multitude of valuable resources and healthcare professionals in their area.

RFCS Gippsland is currently seeking additional seed funding to build the ADAPT online platform aimed at providing a consistent approach to wellness support for the wider rural community, both locally and nationally.

Outcomes that the RFCS Gippsland Wellness program will achieve is to provide clients with a professional wellness support service. Helping clients develop health & wellness action plans, overcoming barriers and provide referral pathways to access other professional services. It will also help to reduce the responsibility on financial counsellors, thus reducing their own risk of overwhelm and burnout. RFCS Gippsland will be positioned well to provide clients with an efficient, professional and direct wellness program.

“IF WE FAIL TO ADAPT, WE FAIL TO MOVE FORWARD”

JOHN WOODEN

Stay Healthy, Chrissy

CHRISTINE BOUCHER

of Natural Health Balance is a corporate Health and Performance Coach transforming organisations to work productively and cohesively as a team. Improving the health of staff and the well-being of business through performance management, health coaching and team building to improve productivity, performance and profitability.

Christine is dedicated and passionate about Health & Wellness. Holding a Bachelor of Nursing Degree, MBA and specialising in Intensive Care Nursing. With over 20 years’, experience working in the healthcare industry.

www.naturalhealthbalance.com.au