Jonathan Glen and Alan Walker, students Harper Adams University are raising awareness of the impact of mental health issues in the agricultural community. Read their story here:
The suicide rate in agriculture is nearly three times that of the accidental death rate. On average 84 people take their lives in the British agricultural community. It comes down to charities like the Farming Community Network (see below for details) to be there for farmers who are struggling with mental health. Having had my own battle with mental health, I appreciate the seriousness of their cause. Hence, to raise £5,000 and increase the awareness of mental health in agriculture, this summer my travel companion Alan Walker and I are going to drive a highly inappropriate Mazda MX-5 from London to Mongolia. We will be tackling some of the most challenging roads in the world including the famed Pamir Highway on a 10,000 mile route to Mongolia. If that wasn’t hard enough. I will be driving back again….
As well as fundraising, I will be documenting my emotional and mental journey through a video diary called MyMentalJourney to show how anyone could battle with mental health and how important it is to talk about it. You can see the first instalment by following this link:
Support their adventure by donating online: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mymentaljourney
The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a charity and voluntary organisation that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times, whether the issue is personal or business related. Our confidential natioanl helpline is open every day of the year from 7am-11pm.