Improving your mental health on the farm

What this episode covers

Dairy Farmer, Peter Hynes, joins Emma-Louise Coffey to talk about a fundraising initiative 'Rearing To Go' that aims to help raise awareness of mental health on the farm.  Peter is well known in farming circles for speaking out on his own struggles with mental health and depression.  He reminds us that the Spring can be a busy and stressful time on farms and it could lead to stress among farmers. His top tips are to eat well, sleep well, use the contractor to reduce workload, and get off the farm even for an hour or two and talk to people. Rearing To Go is a charity auction in aid of The Thomas Hayes Trust. The funds go towards the running of Teac Tom, an initiative started by the Hayes family to support individuals and their families affected by suicide or contemplating suicide.  How can you get involved? Dairy farmers are encouraged to donate a calf for the auction on March 2nd in Corrin Mart, Fermoy. Peter explained that majority of the calves are dairy calves but some farmers have no surplus dairy calves so have donated dairy beef calves.  Farmers that donate a calf will receive a bag of Volac Heiferlac and Dairgold Calf Pride nuts and Peter encouraged families to get out for a family friendly day whilst also supporting a very worthy cause. If you would like to donate a calf contact Peter on 087 0644678. For more information: [https://www.southernstar.ie/news/farming/articles/2019/01/19/4167673-peter-trying-to-keep-farmers--mental-health-in-the-spotlight](https://www.southernstar.ie/news/farming/articles/2019/01/19/4167673-peter-trying-to-keep-farmers--mental-health-in-the-spotlight)/