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Rural mental health advocate Craig 'Wiggy' Wiggins told REX host Dominic George he was supposed to be heading to Gisborne this week but his trip was postponed due to weather.
Wiggy shared his sympathy for those currently in the East Coast who have been through yet another extreme weather event.
"You've gotta be concerned, in fact, worried is probably the right word to use for those people up there," he said.
"It's just layer on layer of stress and anxiety…if you're in that space, from the East Coast we are thinking of you."
While addressing the bigger, long-term infrastructure issues is important, Wiggy believes taking care of the mental health and well-being of the communities should be the immediate focus.
"Let's not talk about pie-in-the-sky stuff, let's actually get back to giving people their communities back and looking after that space (first).
"Let's get as much help as we can into those communities and make sure we are looking after people."
He and Slade McFarland will be working with the RST in Wairoa on July 28th for an Agri-connect day as well as a bit of amateur comedy to help out and hopefully lift some spirits.
Despite being on the road so much for his work, Wiggy told George the support he has from his family unit back home is essential to keep pushing him to help others.
"I can't do what I do without the family support I've got and a big pat on the back to my wife.
"I just love the support that I get from the community."
Seeing the struggles that some people are going through, he said is a good way to recognise that everyone has difficulties, and can help you push through your own challenges.
"Yesterday I spent two hours talking to a man whose daughter is only a young lady and has got cancer and has weeks to live, that is a real dose of reality.
"If you're really wound up about something that's trivial or is eating you up just take a look around and go talk to some people who have got some real issues."
Visit whateverwithwiggy.co.nz for more information or Craig 'Wiggy' Wiggins on Facebook for more information.
Listen to the full chat between rural mental health advocate Craig 'Wiggy' Wiggins and Dominic George above.
To check out more episodes listen to the REX Today Podcast anytime on your favourite streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Rova or tune in to REX Today live on Magic from 5 am to 6 am every weekday.
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