‘Really struggling’
Ker agrees there is a “hidden problem” around mental health in agriculture.
Speaking about his own experience, he said it was not until he picked up a rugby injury and his dad retired, that he had to take on his farm, near Wellington, full time.
“I took on all the pressures and all the challenges within the farming system, but I also delved into farming 24/7 – not going off the farm and doing anything,” he said.
“I got myself into quite a bad spot mentally.
“I was really struggling, and didn’t feel able to speak to anyone about it, didn’t really know what to do.”
He said he ended up lonely and isolated, questioning if he even wanted to continue the work, adding his mental health “pushed me further away from everyone”.
He wants farmers to stop saying, “ah, I’m fine, it’ll be alright – the sun’ll come out”, and instead speak to someone about their mental health.
John KerKer’s organic beef farm took over his life, leading to his feeling of isolation
