Mental health and firearms not in separate vacuums
One of the saddest - and most misinformed - reasons that has emerged in my research on young rural men and why they don’t seek help for mental heath issues, is a fear of losing their firearms license.
Firearms are a serious topic - and attitudes around them can be emotional and polarising. Urban people tend to equate firearms with crime, whereas for rural people, they are an essential tool on the farm and beyond. Essential for quickly and humanely putting down sick stock, and for pest control.
The flip side of firearm use is that of recreational hunting. This serves several roles: killing wild animals to feed the family, and then there is the social emotional connection. Getting together with a bunch of mates to go hunting is an excellent way to connect with people, which has a positive effect on mental health. Being outside in nature also has benefits - we can feel that we are part of something much larger than ourselves, and use our senses to live in the moment. There is the added benefit of moving your body - tramping and climbing are great exercise.
I spoke to Southern District Arms Manager, Greg Ballantyne, to find out how exactly firearms licenses are affected by mental health issues, and it seems that some people are unnecessarily catastrophising the issue.
In short, Greg says, applicants with depression or mental health issues are not necessarily turned down. All applications are on a case-by-case basis. If you acknowledge your mental health struggles and show that they are being addressed through seeking professional help, and that your GP is happy that there is no threat, a medical certificate will be provided to you. You can then include this with your firearms application. You will not automatically be excluded.
Police want applicants to acknowledge that psychological suffering could well be completely valid in this difficult time of life pressures coming at us in every way, shape and form, Greg says.
You are certainly not alone - one in five adults over 15 years of age have been diagnosed with a mood disorder in New Zealand.
Letting this be a barrier to you seeking help for mental health issues is counterproductive really - you could potentially reach a point where you don’t even feel like getting out for a hunt - and that’s not going to help anybody.
Having a firearms license is a responsibility, so do it right. The laws are there for a reason - 40% of non-accidental, on-farm deaths involve a firearm. I’d rather see you at your GP or in my office addressing mental health issues that are highly treatable than see you suffer in silence.
Help lines/websites:
Phone 111 if the danger is immediate
Farmstrong: https://farmstrong.co.nz/
Will to Live: https://www.willtolivenz.com/
1317 Need to Talk: Phone/text 1317 24 hours or website: https://1737.org.nz/
Lifeline Aotearoa: 24 hours. https://www.lifeline.org.nz/