The IFA has announced five “Let’s Talk and Walk” events for next month.

The forest walks are part of a month-long national green ribbon campaign organised by See Change to get people talking openly about mental problems and to break the stigma of silence associated with mental health.

IFA farm family chair Maura Canning said “everybody knows somebody who has been affected by mental health problems, and people really want to support the green ribbon campaign”.

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This is the fourth year the IFA has organised the walks and Canning said they have proved extremely popular.

Here is the schedule of the walks:

  • Sunday 1 May, 3pm at Coillte Forest Park, Portumna, Co Galway.
  • Sunday 8 May, 3pm at Coillte Forest Park Avondale, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow.
  • Sunday 15 May, 3pm at OPW Forest Park, Doneraile, Co Cork.
  • Thursday 19 May, 7.30pm at Lough Muckno Forest Park, Co Monaghan.
  • Sunday 22 May, 3pm at Coillte Forest Park, Ards, Co Donegal.
  • Orla Barry, chief executive of Mental Health Ireland, said the walks are a “wonderful opportunity for friends, families and communities to connect while being mindful of our own and others’ mental health and wellbeing”.

    Showing support

    The “Let’s Talk and Walk” events encourage people to take time out of their busy lives, go for a walk and support the campaign to change minds about mental health.

    Director of See Change John Saunders said “joining in these walks and wearing the green ribbon during the month of May is a simple way to show support for anyone experiencing mental health problems.”

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