This free short course which is funded by the Welsh Government’s Bereavement Support Fund is available to anyone in the agricultural industry or in rural areas of Wales to help develop understanding of grief and bereavement in a farming context. It's inevitable that bereavement and grief will affect us all at some point during our lives and it can sometimes be difficult to know what to say to those who have lost a loved one, especially those bereaved by an unexpected death, like an accident or suicide.
The DPJ Foundation is a Welsh mental health charity that offers support to those in the agricultural community with poor mental heath by providing support, spreading awareness and training those in agriculture to be aware of poor mental health and its impact within our communities.
Kay Helyar the charity’s Training Manager who also delivers the training, alongside some of the DPJ Foundation’s volunteers, says “Bereavement is something that will affect us all at some point during our lives. It’s a sad fact that sudden death, from traumatic events, like suicide or an accident, affect farming families in Wales much too often, with the impact rippling out far into the surrounding community. How we experience grief will be different for everyone, but it can affect our emotions, our behaviours, and our thoughts. Without the right support, it may lead to a longer-term decline in our mental health and wellbeing. There is no road map or timetable to grief, some people can grieve for months, others for years. Being supported by family, friends and the wider community can be a huge factor in enabling bereaved people to grow their life around the sadness and pain of their loss.”
This new training course will help people understand more about bereavement and grief: how it affects people; the additional worries and pressures linked to sudden and traumatic death; what are the right things to say and the best ways to support people who have experienced a loss. It will also cover details of the support offered by The DPJ Foundation and other charities and agencies specialising in bereavement support.
Kay goes on to say “When someone dies, we want to be there for those who are grieving, but don’t always know the best way to support them. We might worry about what to say, what help and support to offer those who are suffering. We might think, particularly where someone has taken their own life, that it’s easier to avoid the family, not to say anything for fear of upsetting them, or feel awkward finding the right words. When someone dies, whatever the circumstances, we should always offer our condolences and offer practical support where we can. This is especially the case in farming, where animals need to be fed, milking may need to be done, or the paperwork still needs to be completed. This training will help provide the confidence to offer that support.”
The DPJ Foundation are keen to offer this course to agricultural communities in Wales free of charge. To book your place please head over to their website https://www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk/training/ or scan the QR code. Here are the upcoming dates for the ‘Understanding Bereavement and Grief’ course online –
The DPJ Foundation’s Share the Load helpline service is there to help with anything you want to talk about. Their professional counsellors are experienced in helping people who have been bereaved and who are dealing with grief and loss. If you have been bereaved and would like to speak to someone who will listen and who can help, please get in contact with them today to know how they can support you, and how you can help them support those who might be struggling. Their confidential #ShareTheLoad helpline is open day and night. To talk: 0800 587 4262 or text: 07860 048799.
