The Success of Wellmates: a Positive Mental Health Programme for Agricultural Students
Tracks
Virtual Only via OnAIR
| Friday, November 10, 2023 |
| 8:55 AM - 9:15 AM |
Overview
Dr Nicky Stanley-Clarke, Massey University
Speaker
Dr Nicky Stanley-Clarke
Senior Lecturer
Massey University
The success of WellMates: A positive mental health programme for agricultural students
Abstract
This presentation reports on a mixed methods study examining the efficacy of WellMates, a positive mental health and resilience programme delivered to first year agricultural university students in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Background: Building wellbeing resilience for those living and working in the agricultural sector can be achieved by introducing new generations, such as university students, to aspects of wellbeing via agricultural education programmes. WellMates is a mental health and wellbeing promotion programme specifically designed for university students studying agriculture. The two-hour workshop focuses on the young farmworker and is peer-led. It involves students in conversations about how to stay mentally well alongside strategies to deal with challenging times and supporting others. First developed at Lincoln University in 2021 WellMates is now delivered at both Lincoln and Massey Universities.
Method: In 2022 Massey and Lincoln Universities came together to evaluate WellMates and gain an understanding as to whether it led to improved knowledge and awareness for those who attended. The research was a mixed methods study involving quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews.
Findings: Students who attended WellMates were significantly more comfortable talking about mental health, could better identify signs of poor mental health in themselves and others, and were able to help themselves and others with mental health issues, compared to students who did not attend the WellMates programme (p<.0001). The qualitative interviews demonstrated the value of WellMates in building on existing student knowledge about managing their own mental health as well as learning new skills in supporting others through challenging times. The research also found that WellMates has benefits in reducing mental health stigma for agricultural students through normalising conversations about mental wellbeing.
Implications: WellMates has demonstrated benefits for agricultural students and as such is available for others across the sector to adapt and use.
Background: Building wellbeing resilience for those living and working in the agricultural sector can be achieved by introducing new generations, such as university students, to aspects of wellbeing via agricultural education programmes. WellMates is a mental health and wellbeing promotion programme specifically designed for university students studying agriculture. The two-hour workshop focuses on the young farmworker and is peer-led. It involves students in conversations about how to stay mentally well alongside strategies to deal with challenging times and supporting others. First developed at Lincoln University in 2021 WellMates is now delivered at both Lincoln and Massey Universities.
Method: In 2022 Massey and Lincoln Universities came together to evaluate WellMates and gain an understanding as to whether it led to improved knowledge and awareness for those who attended. The research was a mixed methods study involving quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews.
Findings: Students who attended WellMates were significantly more comfortable talking about mental health, could better identify signs of poor mental health in themselves and others, and were able to help themselves and others with mental health issues, compared to students who did not attend the WellMates programme (p<.0001). The qualitative interviews demonstrated the value of WellMates in building on existing student knowledge about managing their own mental health as well as learning new skills in supporting others through challenging times. The research also found that WellMates has benefits in reducing mental health stigma for agricultural students through normalising conversations about mental wellbeing.
Implications: WellMates has demonstrated benefits for agricultural students and as such is available for others across the sector to adapt and use.
Biography
Nicky Stanley-Clarke, MSW, PhD, is a registered social worker and senior lecturer at Massey University’s School of Social Work, Palmerston North. Nicky’s research interests include understanding the interaction between the individual and the wider social environment and the impact this may have on service delivery within social work and social policy settings. Her specific research focus includes rural mental health, statutory mental health organisations, social policy, and social work education.
