Agri Aware campaign to raise awareness on physical health, mental health and farm safety

A Castlepollard farmer will talk about how he went about improving his mental wellbeing as part of the a new Agri Aware campaign, 'Sowing Wellbeing in Every Field’.

The campaign has support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

It aims to raise awareness on physical health, mental health and farm safety in the farming community.

Over the course of the three-week campaign, kicking off this Thursday October 24, Agri Aware will share stories of farmers and those working in the agricultural sector who will be speaking about their physical health, mental health and farm safety journeys.

Each week, a video will be released along with expert advice and contact information related to each of the topics to raise awareness and provide support to the farming community.

The second instalment will be released on Thursday October 31 and the last on Thursday November 7.

The three people involved who will be sharing their stories are Nicholas King, a beef and sheep farmer from Tipperary, Kerrie Leonard, a drystock farmer and thoroughbred horse breeder also from Meath and Andrew Bonham from a sheep farm from Castlepollard, who works for Meath Farm Machinery in sales.

In the first video Nicholas King will detail his struggles as an emotional eater that led to weight issues, and now being physically healthy and confident in himself.

Kerrie Leonard will share her experience of being involved in a farm accident when she was six, and of where her she is now, being active on the farm and breeding thoroughbred horses.

Andrew Bonham will share his mental health journey and detail how he went about improving his mental wellbeing while losing some of friends during that time to the same struggle.

At the launch of Sowing Wellbeing in Every Field, Agri Aware chairman Shay Galvin said: “This campaign is hugely important as the three topics highlighted pass the door of many, if not all farm families.

“The three farmer stories showcased in this campaign will highlight the battles those in the farming community have to deal with head on but also how they can have overcome them.

“We hope that this campaign helps to raise awareness around farmers’ physical and mental wellbeing and farm safety and showcase that it is ok to reach out for help, advice and support during the tough days.

“The hope is that these stories will start the conversation for those that are struggling and give them the confidence and tools to help overcome those struggles.

“No matter the weather, we are here to help sow the seeds of wellness, in every field.”

To find out more about this campaign see agriaware.ie or Agri Aware on Facebook; and Instagram.