Funding from the Welsh Government will enable a foundation set-up to support the mental health of farmers to extend its services in to north Wales.

The Daniel Picton-Jones Foundation ‘has a crucial role to play’ in breaking the stigma of farmers talking about struggling with their mental health, Minister for environment, energy and rural affairs, Lesley Griffiths, has said.

The foundation will receive nearly £50,000 of Welsh Government funding to allow it to extend its counselling service into north Wales.

Set up by Emma Picton-Jones in memory of her husband Daniel who took his own life, the foundation aims to support people in rural communities with poor mental health, especially men in the agricultural sector.

The funding will enable Emma to deliver free mental health first aid training to vets and feed firm reps.

Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “Working in the agricultural industry can be an incredibly rewarding and satisfying career, but it can also carry huge pressures and leave many feeling isolated and alone.

“With agriculture tragically carrying one of the highest rates of suicide, support provided from charities such as the DPJ Foundation have a crucial role to play in raising awareness of spotting those struggling with their mental health and sign posting them to where they can get the help they desperately need.

“Emma has shown incredible resilience in such tragic circumstances and it has been heart-warming to see the charity she has set up going from strength to strength."

Emma Picton-Jones said: “We are extremely grateful for this financial support from Welsh Government which will enable us to expand our service and ensure the farming community of Wales is getting much needed support.

“The ability to be able to deliver mental health first aid across Wales will mean many people within the community will be more confident in supporting those with mental health problems and we can work together as a community to combat poor mental health.

“Thank you to Lesley Griffiths for her continued support with all we are trying to achieve.”

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