Macra has confirmed that it will deliver training to students in agricultural colleges across the country in the coming weeks through its mental health programme ‘Make the Moove’.
The training is funded by Mental Health Ireland and supported and facilitated by Teagasc, and will run on a pilot basis between now and Christmas.
“This training programme has been developed in conjunction with Mental Health Ireland and informed by the issues identified by young rural people as affecting their mental wellbeing,” Macra President John Keane explained.
“The issues identified included financial pressures, succession on farm, social media and also the negative perception of farming in the general public”.
This programme is said to be the first of its kind as it was developed specifically to meet the needs of the students and is tailored to address the factors affecting their mental wellbeing.
“We hope to deliver this pilot training programme to around 150 students over three separate sessions before the end of November. We have also planned over the next number of months to expand the programme, to develop specific training programmes for older age groups working in and supporting agriculture,” Mr. Keane said.
“As Monday was World Mental Health Day, it is important that this topic is highlighted and spoken about in rural communities across the country. We all have a role to play in breaking down the stigma and addressing the challenges that face us all,” concluded John Keane.
