Fonterra Oceania is there for THEIRS
Fonterra Oceania supports Tasmanian-based mental health and suicide prevention community organisation, THEIRS, to bring mental health education and personal stories of hope to regional communities.
THEIRS - Talk, Hear and Help, Educate, Inform, Refer and Support, is a not-for-profit organisation run by young Tasmanian based community members with the aim of bringing mental health advocacy, information, support and events to communities and school groups based across the northwest coast of Tasmania.
Fonterra Oceania was proud to sponsor the organisation’s series of events across the northwest recently, including school tours and a community event in Burnie.
Jazz Thorton with Fonterra's Owen Walker at the Burnie community event.
The events brought New Zealander and mental health and suicide prevention activist, Jazz Thornton to Tasmania to speak to members of the community on how she overcame her own battles with serious mental illness.
THEIRS Founder and Producer Laua Johnson said the October events had been a whirlwind, but highly rewarding and impactful.
“Over the course of three days, we have travelled the northwest of the state speaking with secondary and college school students and hosting a special community event in Burnie which saw 300 attendees,” Laura said.
“Across all these activities, including online engagement and media coverage, we estimate we’ve indirectly impacted between 50,000 - 80,000 people.
“The entire event would not have been possible without Fonterra. They showcased their support for our plans before anyone else which then encouraged others to get behind us,” Laura finished.
We understand the significant role we play in supporting the local communities where we operate – it’s where our farmers live, and where our factories are. We are committed to helping communities become better, live healthy lives, and stay strong for generations to come.
Fonterra’s Environment Manager at Wynyard and Spreyton, Owen Walker, attended the community event in Burnie on behalf of Fonterra and believes it is extremely important that people living in regional and rural communities have access to important conversations and support around mental health.
"We know that isolation and limited resources can create a more challenging environment for people living in rural areas. That was one of our key drivers in partnering with THEIRS to support the work they do, and with the goal to help increase awareness of mental health and suicide prevention to our Tasmanian communities," Owen said.
“Some of the stories Jazz shared with the community were tough to hear, but they are important conversations to have. It’s this type of openness and willingness to share that might just save a life,” he said.
Owen has experience first-hand working in mental health support roles prior to joining Fonterra, and on top of his day job, he is part of the Mental Health First Aid Team at Fonterra’s manufacturing sites in Tasmania.
He said these types of community events are important not just to him personally, but the wider Fonterra Oceania team.
“We understand the significant role we play in supporting the local communities where we operate – it’s where our farmers live, and where our factories are. We are committed to helping communities become better, live healthy lives, and stay strong for generations to come,” he finished.
Jazz Thornton toured secondary schools and colleges throughout her time in northwest Tasmania, finishing with a community event in Burnie for 300 people.
Need to talk to someone?
If you, or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out for support.
Support in Australia:
- RAW (Tasmania only): 1800 RAW TAS or ruralaliveandwell.com.au
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
- Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
Support in New Zealand:
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
- Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
- Samaritans – 0800 726 666.
- Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
- Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions).
About Jazz Thornton
Jazz co-founded a suicide prevention organisation, Voices of Hope that aims to bring better understanding of mental health challenges and promote help-seeking behaviours for those suffering or affected by mental illness. In 2021, Jazz was awarded Young New Zealander of the Year and believes in tackling mental health issues through shared stories. She now travels the world as mental health and suicide prevention advocate.