IFA President Encourages Families To Support Green Ribbon Walks

IFA President Tim Cullinan has encouraged families to attend and support the Green Ribbon walks organised by IFA in partnership with See Change, Coillte, and Mental Health Ireland in support of the Green Ribbon campaign this month.

Ten walks are planned  in venues throughout the country during September and October as part of the annual Green Ribbon campaign. The campaign aims to spread awareness about all mental health difficulties to help end mental health stigma and discrimination.

The Green Ribbon walks are intended to provide an opportunity for friends, families and communities to connect.

National Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair, Alice Doyle, said that this year marks the 10^th year that IFA have been involved in the Green Ribbon walks. “The nature of farming results in many farmers prioritising farm productivity over their own mental health. The Green Ribbon walks provide an opportunity for farmers and rural communities to take time out from their work and socialise with others outdoors.”

 This year’s campaign was launched by Mary Butler, Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health – the Minister views the walks as opportunities to allow  conversations to challenge the stigma around mental health, especially in the farming community. 

 Representatives from Mental health Ireland and See Change, the organisation that promotes the walks will give a short 2 minute introduction at the beginning of the walk and will then walk those attending.

The Green Ribbon indicates that a person is open to having a conversation about mental health.  Full details of the walks are  available  here

The closest walk to Tipperary is at Curragh Chase Park on Sunday September 4^th at 2pm. The park is located, 22km west of Limerick city on the N69 coast road close to the villages of Kilcornan and Askeaton.

 THE LET’S TALK AND WALK SERIES OF WALKS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: