The 10th of October was World Mental Health Day and it also marked the start of Agriculture Mental Health Week (October 10th – 16th).  Whilst, every day is a day to think of your mental health, World Mental Health Day and Agriculture Mental Health Week are an opportunity to talk about mental health openly, helping to challenge the stigma and allowing people to open up. 

This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is “Mental Health in an Unequal World”.  We live in a world where there is much social inequality; from sexism, racism, discrimination based on sexual orientation, classism, religion, or due to disability or age. We think that whether you’re wealthy or living under the poverty line, farming a 2000 acre farm or a 2 acre farm, you’re still important and your mental health matters.

Mental health won’t discriminate between whether you’re rich or poor, young or old.  We all can experience mental health problems, whatever background or path in life and we all deserve help when we need it.

The DPJ Foundation understands that the issues impacting on your mental health can be wide ranging and diverse. That is why we are here to help you with anything that worries you no matter how big or small. We don’t discriminate between the farmers we help or the issues we deal with. If you do not feel like yourself, are going through a challenging time in a relationship, feeling alone or isolated, trying to deal with bereavement, grieving or anything else that worries you, if it's a small or big issue, we can help.

Do not think you are alone. We are here to talk, to help, every hour of the day, every day of the year. And we won’t judge you or your situation.

Throughout the pandemic period, we have all been isolating, not seeing the people who we care about. This has been difficult, especially for farmers who only see some friends or family members once a year in an agricultural show, in the local pub or in an annual market.

It has been two years since we caught up with some, and as we all know, a great deal can change within two years. Starting to go back to reality and see people again can be quite overwhelming for some people, whilst others can’t wait to return to a full-on, busy, crowded normal. We are all different and will have different comfort thresholds and that’s okay. If you are a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of seeing so many people again and life becoming busier, remember to take a step back and think about you first, don’t push yourself too much – a lot has changed over the pandemic period. 

Equally, try not to put pressure on your friends and family to meet up if they’re not ready yet.

Following this week, The DPJ Foundation will still be working hard to help those in need. Whether you are a farmer or not, we encourage you to help us break the stigma that talking about mental health and suicide is a sign of weakness. Suicide is preventable and mental health can be improved, but we must start to speak more openly about it when we need help.

As a society we have a responsibility to do something about the issue of mental health and the risk of suicide within agriculture and in wider society. We all have a role to play.

If you work within agriculture or with the farming community, sign up to take part in The DPJ Foundation Mental Health Awareness training. These free sessions are delivered in both Welsh and English. You could save someone’s life.

We have a number of online sessions over zoom coming up. Follow us on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-dpj-foundation-32983967795 to book a place or to get more information.

Please, if you are struggling, feeling low or there is something worrying you, whether it’s to do with farming, your family, relationships, loneliness or workload, don’t be ashamed of asking for help. You are important, and there are people who want to help you. We are here to help.

Our “Share the Load” service is a 24/7 confidential call and text line.

Call 0800 587 4262 / Text 07860 048799

If you are worried about someone, encourage them to call us or make a call on their behalf and we can help you to start that conversation.  Help us to save a life: because poor mental health doesn’t discriminate.