AMs host Pembrokeshire mental health charity at the Senedd

At the National Assembly’s Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, Simon Thomas AM and Paul Davies AM hosted a presentation by Emma Picton-Jones of the DPJ Foundation.

The seminar explored the unique challenges that are experienced surrounding mental health by people living in rural areas.

In July 2016, Emma’s husband Daniel took his own life after suffering from mental health issues. Emma then decided to set up the DPJ Foundation, which aims to break the stigma of mental health and support young men in rural communities.

Founder of the charity Emma Picton-Jones said: “I think the event went really well. We had fantastic feedback. Everybody was really positive. A lot of people involved in the agricultural community have offered their support going forward. They recognise mental health is an issue that we have to do something about and that is vital as we move forward.”

Mid and West AM Simon Thomas commented:

“I was very grateful to welcome Emma to Cardiff today to recall her story and the steps she took to make sure that other families do not experience the same devastation as hers.

“The DPJ Foundation is rooted in helping to break the well-recognised stigmatisation that exists within society against mental health issues. That stigma is particularly heightened in rural communities and we need to begin to realise that our response to this problem can not be a blanketed one.

“Their work over the last two years in encouraging people to begin talking, seeking help where necessary and offering to be a shoulder to lean on is a credit to them.

“As the Assembly Member covering the rural communities of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Meirionnydd and Powys I understand the importance of this issue and the necessity for us to support organisations like the DPJ Foundation.”

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies added:

“It was a real pleasure to welcome Emma to the Assembly and listen to the journey of the DPJ Foundation from its inception to the recent launch of the Share the Load project.

“The Foundation is already working to support farmers in Pembrokeshire and help tackle the stigma of mental health in agricultural communities.

“We know that agriculture carries one of the highest rates of suicide and so it’s important that we encourage people in our rural communities to talk more about their mental health.

“I look forward to working with Emma and the Foundation in the future to raise awareness of the services that are on offer to families living in agricultural communities in Pembrokeshire.”