The Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag) is launching the Walk With Me campaign on World Mental Health Day. The Walk With Me campaign is to raise awareness around the stigma of mental health while also honoring the memories of those that lost their lives to suicide in the agricultural industry. 

Do More Ag encourages participants to invite others along, share stories and foster community connections, cultivating a supportive and understanding environment while on the Walk With Me campaign.

Founder of the Walk With Me campaign Chris Manley initiated the campaign as a response to managing his own depression in agriculture as he is a beef and sheep farmer.

"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 entire globe.

Do More Ag is excited to announce that BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions (BASF) will match donations up to $10,000 to the Walk With Me campaign. BASF's partnership with Do More Ag is to will help amplify the campaign and support mental health initiatives in the agriculture industry.

Head of Communications and Industry Relations, BASF Tabetha Boot expressed that no one should ever have to feel alone in their struggles.

"Having access to mental health support and resources is essential for those working in agriculture, the $10,000 is to provide the agriculture community, especially farmers, with greater access to a support network that shares their experience and struggles."

Do More Agriculture invites everyone to partake in the Walk With Me campaign, starting on World Mental Health Day (October 10th) and extending until October 20th. Here are some of the ways that you can get involved with the Walk With Me campaign. 

  • 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.
  • Honouring others: Share the stories of those who have lost someone to mental illness.
  • Share Your Story: Share your thoughts, experiences, and stories about mental health.
  • Participate in the "Walk With Me" Workshop: A starting point for more inclusive and supportive conversations around mental wellbeing in agriculture. Megz Reynolds, Executive Director at Do More Agriculture will guide participants through the objectives of the "Walk With Me" Campaign and elaborate on various ways to get involved. Register now at Eventbrite.

By running this campaign in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, Do More Ag 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.

For more information about Do More Ag and the Walk With Me campaign visit their website at domore.ag. 

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