IFA president Joe Healy has encouraged farm families to attend and support “Let’s Talk and Walk” forest walks organised by the IFA in partnership with See Change, Coillte and Mental Health Ireland in support of the Green Ribbon campaign this month.

Nine walks have been organised in venues throughout the country during May, which is Green Ribbon month – a month dedicated to encouraging people in Ireland to end mental health stigma.

IFA president Joe Healy said: “This has been a particularly tough year for many farm families. The uncertainty of Brexit and continued high input costs and low prices have contributed to a lot of additional stress and strain on many farm families. It is hoped that the walks will provide an opportunity for friends, families and communities to connect while being mindful of their own and others’ mental health and wellbeing.”

IFA national farm family and social affairs chair Caroline Farrell said that this is the seventh year that the IFA has organised the walks and they have proved to be extremely popular. The walks provide an opportunity for rural communities to show their support for a very worthwhile campaign by taking time out from farming and to spend with family and friends. By getting together and talking openly about mental health issues, we have found that there is greater acceptance of mental health issues, and people realise they are not alone.

Let’s Talk and Walk will take place in the following locations during May:

  • Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Co Tipperary: Sunday 5 May 2019 at 2pm.
  • Kilrush Forest, Clare: Sunday 5 May 2019 at 12pm.
  • Avondale Forest Park, Co Wicklow: Sunday 5 May 2019 at 3pm.
  • Ards Forest Park, Co Donegal: Sunday 12 May 2019 at 3pm.
  • Rossmore Forest Park, Co Monaghan: Sunday 12 May 2019 at 3pm.
  • Galway Wind Park, Oughterard, Co Galway: Thursday 16 May 2019 at 7pm.
  • Emo Forest, Co Laois: Sunday 19 May 2019 at 3pm.
  • Doneraile Park, Co Cork: Sunday 19 May 2019 at 3pm.
  • Fore Valley, Castlepollard, Co Westmeath: Sunday 26 May 2019 at 3pm.