A series of discussion groups to help men cope with the anxiety and depression caused by the impact of the kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V on orchards and businesses will be held in the coming weeks.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Mike Chapman says the Psa-V Men's Discussion Groups, open to all men, aim to help them and their families, friends and employees.

The groups are being run by Simon Lowe, a registered social worker and trained counsellor with nearly 30 years' experience.

'Simon will run the sessions on the basis of an ‘open group'. This means that different people can attend each week's group session.

'The benefits of open groups are that anyone can join at any point by just dropping in. Topics will include coping strategies, support mechanisms, what to look out for and how to deal with anxiety and depression.”

Mike says many growers whose orchards are infected with the vine disease, and incomes rely on kiwifruit may be experiencing what famous psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross called the seven stages of grief.

Recognising what is happening is important but not everyone may experience the stages in the same order or intensity.

'The first stage is shock and denial where you deny the reality of what has happened to your orchard, your job, your income and your future.

'The second is pain and guilt as the shock wears off. You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn't do. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase.

'In the third stage is anger and bargaining where frustration gives way to anger. "Why me?" You may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of your despair.

'The fourth stage is depression, reflection and loneliness where a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you. During this time, you finally realise the true magnitude of your loss, and it depresses you. You may isolate yourself on purpose, reflect on things you did and focus on memories of the past. You may sense feelings of emptiness or despair.”

The Men's Discussion Groups aim to help men understand the issues during those four stages and give them the tools to manage and work through the last three stages of grief, says Mike.

'These are the upward turn where you start to adjust your life and it becomes a little calmer and more organised.

'Reconstruction and working through is where you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems. Acceptance and hope is where you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation.”

The Men's Discussion Groups are supported by Turning Point Recovery Services, the Bay of Plenty Rural Support Charitable Trust, the Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust, Kiwifruit Vine Health and NZ Kiwifruit Growers.

All sessions start at 10.30am with the next sessions running:

• On Monday, September 17 at the Pongakawa Hall, Old Coach Road, Pongakawa.
• On Monday, September 24 at the Katikati Resource Centre, 45 Beach Road, Katikati.
• On Monday, October 1 at the St Andrews Presbyterian Church Lounge, Oxford Street, Te Puke.
• On Monday, October 8 at 147 Chadwick Road, Greerton above Pizza Hut.

The full programme is available from both Kiwifruit Vine Health www.kvh.org.nz and NZ Kiwifruit Growers www.nzkgi.org.nz websites with the groups running through until the end of the year.

This is in addition to the 'Psa is Stressful” workshops that have been running throughout the Bay of Plenty over the last two weeks. The last of these workshops in the current series is being held on Thursday 13 September, 11.30 am at Pongakawa Hall, Old Coach Road, Pongakawa.

For further details, please contact either KVH on 0800 665 825 or NZKGI on 0800 232 505. In an emergency contact the Police on 111.