The Government has announced the appointment of Wayne Langford to the Board of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission for a five-year term of office.
Mr Langford (pictured) is the National President of Federated Farmers and is also their spokesperson for mental health and wellbeing.
“Wayne is the owner and operator of Go Ahead Farms 2015 Limited, a dairy farm in Golden Bay, Tasman and has extensive experience as a board member for several organisations supporting mental health – particularly for rural and remote communities,” said Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey.
“We know our rural communities are reporting increasing mental health concerns and have endured several events in recent years that have affected their livelihoods and mental wellbeing.”
He said Mr Langford was well respected in the agricultural industry and has a keen knowledge of rural New Zealand which gives him a unique perspective on the mental health needs of rural communities.
“Mr Langford has spent a large part of his career advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of rural and remote communities across New Zealand and has worked to increase awareness and improve the services available to this community. He will be a valuable addition to the Board,” said Mr Doocey.
“I welcome Wayne’s appointment – he knows first-hand the mental health challenges people can face, and he’s shown an absolute commitment to improving people’s wellbeing,” said Rural Communities Minister, Mark Patterson.
“As a farmer and someone from a smaller community, he brings a viewpoint that will help the commission in its work.”
Mr Langford is filling an existing vacancy on the Board of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.
