Whilst every day is a day to think of your mental health and wellbeing, this week is a time where we are encouraged to show our support and raise awareness of mental health within agriculture and help to challenge the stigma, allowing people to open up.
The DPJ Foundation is a mental health charity that supports those within the agricultural industry with their mental health. Their confidential ‘Share The Load’ helpline is available 24/7 for those going through a difficult time at the moment. They encourage anyone who is struggling, feeling low or worrying about something, whether it’s to do with farming, your family, relationships, loneliness, bereavement or workload to get in touch. Their key message is that you are important and there are people who want to help you. Their confidential helpline can be accessed by calling 0800 587 4262 or texting 07860 048799.
Elen Williams, the Charity Marketing & Engagement Assistant for The DPJ Foundation says “A recent survey by the Farm Safety Foundation found that 92% of farmers under the age of 40 felt mental health was the biggest danger facing the industry. This highlights why Ag Mental Health Week is so important. At the moment farmers are facing many challenges as we head into the winter months, so please show your support and get behind #AgMentalHealthWeek to help those who might be struggling, to let them know that they’re not alone and that there is support available for them.”
Throughout Ag Mental Health week, The DPJ Foundation will be sharing some information, videos and tips about mental health on their social media. They believe that the wider these posts are shared, the better chance of the information reaching someone who might really need to see it.
Kate Miles, the Charity Manager says “We have seen a difficult summer for farmers in Wales and our busiest period ever on our Share the Load helpline. That is why we have a busy week ahead of us as a team, ensuring that we are raising awareness of mental health within agriculture across Wales at this opportunity.
Alongside our activities on social media, we are going to be out and about throughout the week. On Monday I will be working alongside NFU Cymru in Gwernyfed High School in Powys talking to pupils about their mental health and wellbeing, on Thursday Kay our Training Manager is joining a panel with FUW to talk about the menopause and its impact and then on Friday, Elen will be at Glan Y Mor school in Gwynedd doing a session for year 11 pupils. Throughout the week, we will be at various livestock markets and we will also be drawing our grand summer raffle on Friday 14th of October at Carmarthen Market. The proceeds from this fundraiser will help fund our ongoing work. Thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket and good luck for the draw!”
A poster has been published from the DPJ Foundation “I’m proudly supporting #AgMentalHealthWeek”. They are encouraging the public to get involved and show your support for this campaign and for Welsh farmers by taking a picture, video or even a TikTok and sharing it on your social media using the hashtags #AgMentalHealthWeek #WMHD2022 #TeamDPJ #WythnosIechydMeddwlAmaeth and tagging The DPJ Foundation.
