Aurivo drive new rural mental health campaign with Samaritans

AURIVO Co-operative is supporting a new rural mental health campaign by featuring Samaritans’ helpline signage on its milk tankers and Homeland and Nutrias trucks travelling across the northwest.

Aurivo is partnering with mental health charity Samaritans with the aim of raising awareness of Samaritans’ freephone number 116 123 among farmers and other people living in northwest rural Ireland, especially those living or working in isolation.

The campaign is supported by Aurivo and a number of milk processers who are all members of the Ibec group Dairy Industry Ireland (DII).

Speaking about the partnership, Donal Tierney, CEO of Aurivo, said: “Aurivo Co-operative, as a member of DII, is proud to support the Samaritans in driving this hugely vital campaign aimed at raising awareness of mental health amongst the farming community.

“Farmers are first to look after the health of their animals, but they often forget to prioritise their own mental wellbeing.

“We value our 10,000 dairy, beef and sheep farmer members at Aurivo and their dedication to producing the best quality milk and meat products. We hope that if they need support or to talk to someone that this initiative will encourage them to do so.”

Aurivo chairperson and dairy farmer Raymond Barlow added: “While farming is a rewarding job, it is often high pressured, and farmers can spend long periods of the day alone with their own thoughts. It’s important that during challenging times, farmers know they can reach out.”

Frank Considine, volunteer with Sligo Samaritans, said the initiative will target those hard-to-reach groups who are often most at risk of loneliness and isolation, may have family, work or financial worries, have mental health problems, or feel suicidal.

“We are delighted to have the support of Aurivo, not just to reach dairy farmers, but anyone living, working or driving in rural areas who may see our helpline number on a vehicle,” he said.

“We want people to know that Samaritans is here for anyone struggling to cope, no matter who you are or where you are, on freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie.”