The Do More Agriculture Foundation, a leading organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness in the agriculture industry, will launch the Walk With Me campaign on World Mental Health Day.
On Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day, the Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag) is launching the Walk With Me campaign to raise mental health awareness and honour the memories of those we’ve tragically lost to suicide in the agriculture community. We encourage participants to invite others along for a walk, share their stories and foster community connections, cultivating a supportive and understanding environment.
Chris Manley, founder of the Walk With Me campaign and a beef and sheep farmer in East Devon, England, initiated the campaign as a response to managing his own depression. Manley explains, “I regularly walk and journal, and created a short poem called ‘Walk With Me’ that outlined the many feelings that someone might have when their mental health is low. I thought to myself how lucky I am to have support, and wouldn’t it be terrible if someone felt alone, particularly on a farm? So, I decided to post a video on social media of me walking and reciting the poem to start the campaign, to encourage people to walk and talk, as a step towards recovery.”
Manley expresses his enthusiasm over the partnership between the Walk With Me campaign and the Do More Agriculture Foundation, aiming to support farmers in Canada and across the globe.
BASF partnership
Do More Agriculture is pleased to announce that BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions (BASF) will match donations up to $10,000 to the Walk With Me campaign. BASF supports farmers on and off the field with leading agricultural solutions and agronomic support. BASF’s partnership with Do More Ag will help amplify the campaign and support mental health initiatives in the agriculture industry.
“No one should ever have to feel alone in their struggles, and having access to mental health support and resources is essential for those working in agriculture,” says Tabetha Boot, head of communications and industry relations, BASF. “BASF is proud to partner with Do More Ag to match Walk With Me donations up to $10,000 to help provide the agriculture community, especially farmers, with greater access to a support network that shares their experience and struggles.”
Get Involved
Do More Agriculture invites everyone to partake in the Walk With Me campaign, starting on World Mental Health Day and extending until Oct. 20. By getting involved, you are playing an active role in promoting mental health awareness.
To get involved:
- Go for a Walk: Walk and talk with a friend in person or over the phone. Use the hashtag #WalkWithMe and tag @domoreag online to share your experience on social media. Let’s take steps together towards better mental health.
- Honouring others: Share the stories of those who have lost someone to mental illness. By honouring their memory, we raise awareness and promote understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by mental health challenges.
- Share Your Story: Share your thoughts, experiences, and stories about mental health. By sharing, you can inspire hope, create a sense of community and support members of the agriculture industry.
- Donate: Your generous donations directly support our three key pillars: awareness, community support and mental health resources in the agriculture industry. Visit our website to make your contribution. With BASF matching donations up to $10,000, your generosity will have double the impact in supporting mental wellness in our community.
- Participate in the “Walk With Me” workshop: A starting point for more inclusive and supportive conversations around mental wellbeing in agriculture. Megz Reynolds will guide participants through the objectives of the “Walk With Me” campaign and elaborate on various ways to get involved.
The Walk With Me campaign is a powerful initiative that encourages individuals to take steps forward in supporting themselves and others by going for a walk, staying connected and sharing their stories.
By running this campaign in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, Do More Agriculture hopes to create global awareness of the mental health challenges in agriculture, collectively work to eliminate stigma surrounding mental health and foster a global sense of community.
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