EFFORTS to raise awareness of mental health in agriculture are taking place this week.

Running from February 14-20, the DPJ Foundation has launched its first “Gofala Am Dy Ben”’ week campaign, to raise awareness of the issue.

It’s been a difficult two years with the pandemic, and it’s a busy time of year for farmers, with lambing, calving and general farm work so it’s never been more important to take care of our head and our mental health.

Well known farmer from North Wales, Gareth Wyn Jones, who will be sharing his message on social media during the week, said: “Our work every day as farmers has a lot of stress and strains so it’s very important for us as people to share our problems with others, to share the load.”

The DPJ Foundation was set up by Emma Picton-Jones back in July 2016 after the death of Daniel Picton Jones.

Daniel was an agricultural contractor, and his suicide touched many in the farming community.

After his death, Emma realised there was a big gap in the system, there was a lack of support available for those suffering with poor mental health in rural communities.

In his name, the DPJ Foundation is using Daniel’s story to help others suffering with poor mental health. The aim of the foundation is to support people in the agricultural sector with poor mental health.

Elen Gwen, from the DPJ Foundation, said: “Our aim for ‘Gofala Am Dy Ben’ week is to show how you can look after your mental health within agriculture and share some positive messages around mental health and wellbeing.

"Many challenges face the agriculture sector, and it is important that people know that support is available when things affect our mental health, but also what we can do ourselves and importantly that we are not alone.”

Alaw Llwyd Owen, from Nerth Dy Ben and a regional champion for the DPJ Foundation, added: “As an organisation, Nerth Dy Ben campaigns to remind our rural Welsh community of the strength and resilience we all have to cope with the daily challenges and achieve things from day-to-day.

"Being able to welcome a charity as valuable as the DPJ Foundation to join us in this conversation and to work together on this particular campaign is a golden opportunity to open up the chat about what we can do on a daily basis to care and maintain that mental strength.”

The DPJ Foundation is encouraging people to contribute by sharing the message about taking care of our head.

Anybody who would like to take part, all they need to do is share pictures or videos on social media of what they do to deal with challenges on a daily basis especially when faced with things that cause stress.

People can also share tips for how they maintain your own wellbeing and resilience.

Use the hashtag #GofalaAmDyBen and tag in the DPJ Foundation and Nerth Dy Ben in posts.

If anybody needs help, they can call the DPJ Foundation free on 0800 587 4262 or text 07860 048 799 (this number doesn’t accept calls).