A series of regional events will take place around the country in the coming weeks, encouraging farmers and their families to take time to consider their mental health, stress management and overall wellbeing.
Facilitated by the Social Farming Ireland network, in conjunction with Leitrim Development Company, South West Mayo Development Company, West Limerick Resources and Waterford LEADER partnership, the first two events took place in Kill, Co Kildare and Ballymoe, Co Galway earlier this week.
Three more are planned for Callan, Co Kilkenny on Tuesday, 29 October; Kilmeedy, Co Limerick on Tuesday, 5 November; and Ross, Co Meath on Monday, 11 November.
Occupational stress
The events will provide farmers with practical advice on managing and improving their wellbeing and mental health while offering a supportive environment to discuss the challenges they face within the agricultural sector.
“Farmers can experience high levels of occupational stress from their operations, and often these sources of stress are beyond the control of the farmer,” says Mary Brennan, research and policy officer at Social Farming Ireland.
“These events represent a vital opportunity for farmers to not only gain knowledge about ways to help safeguard and improve their mental health and wellbeing, but to connect with their peers in a meaningful way.
Social Farming is the practice of offering activities on family farms as a form of social support that provides people with the opportunity for inclusion, increased self-esteem, and to improve their health and well-being. \ Odhran Ducie
“Each event will be delivered by mental health and wellbeing experts and advocates, tailored to address a broad range of farmers mental health and wellbeing issues. Indeed, by addressing mental health openly and providing tools for stress management, we aim to foster stronger and healthier rural communities.”
Social farming provides support for people who are experiencing challenges in their lives on typical working family farms.
Using the natural assets of the people, place and community, the network provides planned non-clinical, personalised and outcome-focused supports which are in tune with people’s own choices, goals and needs.
Social Farming Ireland is a national project and network, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Based in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, it is led by Leitrim Development Company in collaboration with other local development companies across the country.
The wellbeing events are free to attend and are open to all farmers and their families. Attendees are advised to dress warmly for the occasion as the majority of these events take place on social farms.
People can register at their preferred venue between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on the night but are advised to reserve a place by visiting socialfarmingireland.ie. Further information is available by calling 071 9641772/086 0654136 or
emailing socialfarming@ldco.ie.
A series of regional events will take place around the country in the coming weeks, encouraging farmers and their families to take time to consider their mental health, stress management and overall wellbeing.
Facilitated by the Social Farming Ireland network, in conjunction with Leitrim Development Company, South West Mayo Development Company, West Limerick Resources and Waterford LEADER partnership, the first two events took place in Kill, Co Kildare and Ballymoe, Co Galway earlier this week.
Three more are planned for Callan, Co Kilkenny on Tuesday, 29 October; Kilmeedy, Co Limerick on Tuesday, 5 November; and Ross, Co Meath on Monday, 11 November.
Occupational stress
The events will provide farmers with practical advice on managing and improving their wellbeing and mental health while offering a supportive environment to discuss the challenges they face within the agricultural sector.
“Farmers can experience high levels of occupational stress from their operations, and often these sources of stress are beyond the control of the farmer,” says Mary Brennan, research and policy officer at Social Farming Ireland.
“These events represent a vital opportunity for farmers to not only gain knowledge about ways to help safeguard and improve their mental health and wellbeing, but to connect with their peers in a meaningful way.
Social Farming is the practice of offering activities on family farms as a form of social support that provides people with the opportunity for inclusion, increased self-esteem, and to improve their health and well-being. \ Odhran Ducie
“Each event will be delivered by mental health and wellbeing experts and advocates, tailored to address a broad range of farmers mental health and wellbeing issues. Indeed, by addressing mental health openly and providing tools for stress management, we aim to foster stronger and healthier rural communities.”
Social farming provides support for people who are experiencing challenges in their lives on typical working family farms.
Using the natural assets of the people, place and community, the network provides planned non-clinical, personalised and outcome-focused supports which are in tune with people’s own choices, goals and needs.
Social Farming Ireland is a national project and network, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Based in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, it is led by Leitrim Development Company in collaboration with other local development companies across the country.
The wellbeing events are free to attend and are open to all farmers and their families. Attendees are advised to dress warmly for the occasion as the majority of these events take place on social farms.
People can register at their preferred venue between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on the night but are advised to reserve a place by visiting socialfarmingireland.ie. Further information is available by calling 071 9641772/086 0654136 or
emailing socialfarming@ldco.ie.
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