This week we are putting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #3 under the spotlight. There’s been a lot of focus on wellbeing lately with Mental Health Awareness Week, World Mental Health Day, World Suicide Prevention Day and so on, however, ensuring good health and wellbeing is something that requires a 365 days of the year approach. Looking after ourselves and looking after others is so important but it can be something that we find hard to do and/or prioritise. This week we take a look at what SDG #3 is all about, why it is important for the rural sector, and leave you with a way you can prioritise your health and wellbeing this week that may just help you to prioritise it more going forward.
SDG #3 - What's it all about?
SDG #3 seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages. We’ve all heard the saying ‘health is true wealth’ and this goal looks to prioritise generating better health outcomes for all people around the world.
Targets under this goal relate to areas such as:
- Reducing maternal mortality rates
- Reducing mortality rate of non-commuicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer or chronic respiratory disease, through prevention and treatment
- Promoting mental health and wellbeing. Reducing suicide mortality rates
- Preventing and treating substance abuse
- Universal access to sexual health and reproductive health care services
- Reducing deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution, and contamination
Why is SDG #3 important for people in rural areas?
Rural life brings many opportunities, however, it also brings many challenges when it comes to health and wellbeing. SDG #3 is crucial for the rural sector as while our industry is built on producing product, the cornerstone of the sector is its people. If we don’t have thriving people, we won’t have a thriving sector. The reliance on the Food and Fibre sector for close to 81% of NZ’s export earnings from goods further adds pressure to those in the sector. This makes it really important that we are able to ensure that those in our agricultural and rural communities are able to thrive, be well supported, and have equitable access to healthcare and services to help with the challenges life throws us.
Rural Health New Zealand identified some key snapshots for the state of rural health such as :
Loneliness and isolation were found to be the two key factors that have negative impacts on mental and physical health of people who live in rural areas in New Zealand. However, in contrast, community, social support and cohesion were found to be the key factors to promote positive impacts. This is a really interesting insight that shows that the level of connection and support for people in rural areas can be something that either results in positive or negative impacts on health and wellbeing.
The state of rural health and the key factors that can either lead to negative or positive health outcomes for rural people further highlights the importance of ensuring that we prioritise continually pursuing good health and wellbeing for ourselves, those around us and our communities.
How could you prioritise SDG #3 this week?
There are so many awesome people and initiatives focusing on rural health and wellbeing. Choosing a resource or person to highlight is quite a challenge, however the Invest in Your Wellbeing Bank Account activity by Farmstrong is one we can never go past.
Farmstrong is a wellbeing initiative that was founded by the Mental Health Foundation and FMG with a mission to improve the wellbeing of people working in farming and growing. They encourage people to live well so that they can farm well, and they also provide events and a huge range of resources to support rural people to support their own wellbeing.
Many of us have heard of the phrase ‘fill up your cup’ when it comes to wellbeing and looking after ourselves. The Farmstrong ‘Invest in Your Wellbeing Bank Account’ activity works off a similar premise. It’s a great activity for anybody to undertake, irrespective of their background.
The full resource can be found at https://farmstrong.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Wellbeing-bank-account-handout.pdf
The Wellbeing Bank Account works like any other bank account in that you have investments and withdrawals.
- Investments to your wellbeing can include things like playing sport, getting off farm, reading a book, getting in the garden and so much more. When you do these things they are a direct investment in your wellbeing.
- In contrast, withdrawals are the things that can have a negative impact on your wellbeing such as having too much to do, battling shit weather, financial pressure and so on.
Supporting our wellbeing is important but it is also important to recognise that someone can do all the ‘right’ things and still struggle with health and wellbeing. That’s okay! It’s really important that we can support people in rural communities who have these challenges too.
If you or someone you know needs support, there are many places to contact such as:
- Your GP
- Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254
- Lifeline at 0800 543 354 or text 4357 for free, 24/7 support
- MPI On Farm Support 0800 70 71 33 or email onfarmsupport@mpi.govt.nz