Marlborough farming stalwart Doug Avery was at Lincoln University recently to speak to agricultural students about the importance of looking after their mental health.
Students from Lincoln’s Farm Management and Diploma of Agriculture classes turned out to hear from Mr Avery, who suffered a five-year episode of depression during a massive Marlborough drought.
Also in attendance at the talk was a group of host farmers who allow the students to visit their properties for field trips.
Agricultural Management and Agribusiness Senior Lecturer Victoria Westbrooke, who helped organise the event, said that farm management and life management were closely intertwined.
“As well as learning how to run a farm business, it’s important for the students to pick up skills on mental resilience and taking care of their wellbeing,” she said.
During his talk, Mr Avery told the crowd that he had never been taught the soft skills to manage himself through difficult times, which led to a long period of poor mental health.
“My self-talk became negative and my ability to manage myself deteriorated,” he said.
However, a turning point came when he attended a North Canterbury seminar by Lincoln University Plant Science Professor Derrick Moot.
“Dr Moot challenged the crowd to look at things in a different way,” Mr Avery said. “It was a lightbulb moment. In one hour, one man in one place changed my view of what I could do.
“I realised hope is important. I didn’t know I had lost it then, but I regained it that day and have never lost it since.”
Mr Avery emphasised the importance of learning about one’s own wellbeing and setting aside time every day to work on mental health.
“The primary thing taught at university is hard skills like equations and science,” he said. “That’s great, but you also need soft skills. It’s only since I’ve learned these that my life has taken off. If you look after yourself, that’s when you can turn your hard skills into great things.”
Mr Avery advised the crowd to write down 5-10 values they were not prepared to compromise on, which would lead them to understand why they made certain life choices.
“People who do well know their why and can reconcile it with life challenges,” he said. “When you know your why strongly, the how, when and where become incredibly easy.”
He also spoke about the “four Cs” that were necessary for a great life: commitment, courage, capability and confidence.
“Give life a good go. When you’re going for a new and exciting challenge, you have to commit. Then courage forces you emotionally and physically to seek capability and confidence,” he said.
“But bear in mind that the world is changing constantly, so just when you’re feeling confident, you have to go back and do another four Cs.
“People hate change and they love the familiar, because it’s comfortable. But you have to keep pushing through with those four Cs.”
Mr Avery invited the students to contact him if they ever needed support.
“Anyone in this room who is struggling with themselves, you are welcome to get in touch with me,” he said. “Don’t leave it. Don’t hope it will go away. It’s OK to say, ‘I’m not OK.’
“Also be sure to support each other. If you notice that someone’s behaviour has changed, check in and ask them how they’re doing.”
Mr Avery concluded by advising the group on how to perform what he called a “mental reset”.
“Remember, you either win or you learn,” he said. “You only lose if you don’t learn.”
Following the talk, the group had an opportunity to speak to Mr Avery and ask him some follow-up questions.