New positive mental health guide for farming community launched

A new leaflet which aims to provide positive mental health guidance to those involved in farming has been launched.

Entitled Sowing the Seeds of Support: Positive Mental Health Guidance for the Farming Community, it was prepared by Mental Health Ireland and Teagasc.

The booklet "explores a number of practical coping strategies to manage stress reduction," and "places an emphasis on the importance of self-care, community connections and seeking professional help when needed".

You can find the online version of the booklet here.

Martin Heydon, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm Safety, recently launched the publication.

"This initiative will provide invaluable advice for the farming community on recognising and managing stress. The content in the leaflet is based on recent research findings and sets out useful coping strategies and pointers on how to minimise stress".

The leaflet was prepared by Ms Finola Colgan, Mental Health Ireland and Teagasc Health and Safety Specialists Dr John McNamara and Mr Francis Bligh.

Researchers Dr David Meredith and Dr Diana van Doorn contributed data on recent Teagasc research findings to the publication.