Let’s Talk and Walk initiative is a resource for farmers or any member of the public dealing with the particular pressures of country life and seeking help and support.
The Let’s Talk and Walk events have produced a series of joint initiatives with See Change, Green Ribbon, IFA and Mental Health Ireland.
They have teamed up with Coillte to hold woodland walk campaigns right across the country.
The whole experience aims to support people involved in country life and tackle the stigma associated with mental health problems.
It focuses on stress as an important issue for good mental health and well-being but also for farm safety and the impacts that farm accidents have on families.
This initiative was first launched back in 2011 by the then Minister for Agriculture Minister Simon Covey and Minister for Health, Kathleen Lynch, and it has grown “from strength to strength since commencement”, organisers say.
Let’s Talk and Walk
A spokesperson told That’s Farming:
“The aim and vision are to achieve a change in Irish social attitudes and behaviour. Also, we strive to reduce the level of discrimination and prejudice against mental health illness.”
“Initiatives such as this have the potential to change attitudes. They can help lay the necessary foundations for a real and positive transformation of how mental illness is perceived.”
A forest walk will take place this Sunday, September 18th, 2022, at 11 am at Tintern Abbey, Tintern, Co. Wexford.
Farm and mental stress
The spokesperson continued:
“The aim is to alert people of ways to eliminate farm stress and attitudes to mental stress.”
“We appreciate the normal stress that is part of our daily life. But, there are many issues today which threaten its balance.”
“There is no doubt that we are now dealing with more pressures like issues relating to housing, other health issues, financial worries and family concerns; sometimes these worries or concerns become too hard to manage.”
“That is where the IFA, See Change, Green Ribbon and Mental Health Ireland have joined forces to highlight that there are people to talk to.”
“Very often, we hide behind these concerns allowing them to fester into what is perceived to be an unmanageable situation.”
“However, by opening up to somebody early and sharing one’s experience, a resolution, which may have seemed to be impossible for the person concerned, can then be found, and a door is opened.”
Event
Irish Farmers’ Association Wexford and Ballycullane Branch are hosting this evening next Sunday and welcome everyone to attend.
Tintern Abbey Guide from the Office of Public Works has kindly offered to give a guided tour inside Tintern Abbey, followed by access to the Walled Gardens.
Participants will then follow with a walk through Tintern Trails and finish with refreshments.
Everyone is welcome, and all is free of charge.
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