Countryfile – Mental Health Awareness: Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, Charlotte Smith travels to the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall to visit Chaos Farm, which stands for Community Helping All of Society. Charlotte meets the farm’s founder, Babs Rounsevell MBE, to see how their support programmes, based on agriculture and the great outdoors, help people with both their mental and physical wellbeing.
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Elsewhere on the farm, Charlotte meets equine therapist Penny Tempest to discover how the gentle presence of horses can help with mental health, and then joins the farm’s ‘Men Outside’ group, which offers peer-to-peer support for men struggling with their mental wellbeing.
Charlotte also travels to the north Cornwall coast to see how surfing can help young people cope with stress and anxiety. Marathon runner and champion for diversity and inclusion in the countryside, Haroon Mota, is hiking in Snowdonia, exploring why the great outdoors is so important to him and his mental wellbeing. Datshiane Navanayagam investigates the impact that debt is having on our farmers, and Adam looks at how women in agriculture are facing up to the mental health challenges of rural isolation.
Stories are shared of the people, places and issues at the heart of the British countryside. Popular features include the programme’s photography contest, which culminates in a yearly calendar sold to benefit charity, the Video Diary, produced by viewers and focused on life in rural areas, and the weather forecasts.
Countryfile – Mental Health Awareness
Countryfile – Cotswolds is a British television programme which airs weekly on BBC One and reports on rural, agricultural, and environmental issues in the United Kingdom. The programme is currently presented by John Craven, Adam Henson, Matt Baker, Tom Heap, Ellie Harrison, Paul Martin, Anita Rani, Helen Skelton, Steve Brown, Charlotte Smith, and Sean Fletcher.
Episodes are typically centred on two lead presenters visiting a place or region, and uncovering the stories, characters and traditions which make that area distinctive. Typical subject matter includes wildlife, conservation, farming and food production, the arts, countryside crafts, social history and leisure activities. Presenters and guests are often wearing British country clothing, episodes may include several segments with other presenters, uncovering other stories in the region. Compilation programmes occasionally air with a thematic focus, with a reduced number of original segments typically featuring one lead presenter only, and several other segments repeated from previous shows.
Journalism remains an integral part of the programme’s agenda. BBC News’s Rural Affairs Correspondent Tom Heap or John Craven presents a weekly investigation into the big issues affecting the British countryside. Recent examples include the impact of animal diseases, the move towards renewable energy, environmental disasters, threats to rural services as well as changes to farming policy and practices.
Farmer Adam Henson joined the programme in 2001 following a search to find a new presenter amongst programme viewers. In 2009 he started fronting the weekly “Adam’s Farm” strand which gives viewers an insight into the challenges of running a mixed farm in the Cotswolds. His father, Joe Henson, was one of the original founders of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
In 2013 the programme marked its 25th anniversary with a special edition guest-edited by The Prince of Wales. Countryfile: A Royal Appointment saw the team joining the Prince on his Gloucestershire farm where he shared his passion for the British countryside, rare breed animals, organic farming and hedge-laying. Countryfile also accompanied him on a trip to County Durham to find out what’s being done to help struggling hill farmers before heading to a London comprehensive where pupils are growing and cooking their own food with remarkable results. The Silver Jubilee celebrations continued well into July when 250 viewers were invited to a traditional summer fayre held on Adam Henson’s farm. The anniversary was marked by a new title sequence and re-versioned music composed by David Lowe.
Mental Health Awareness
Mental health is a vital aspect of our well-being that affects how we think, feel, and act in different situations. It also influences how we cope with stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Unfortunately, mental health problems are very common and can have a significant impact on our quality of life, productivity, and relationships. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, and suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds. People with severe mental health conditions often face discrimination, stigma, and human rights violations.
The good news is that many mental health problems can be prevented or treated effectively at a low cost. However, there is still a large gap between the people who need care and those who have access to it. Many people do not seek help due to lack of awareness, fear of judgment, or limited resources.
That is why mental health awareness is crucial for everyone. It can help us understand ourselves and others better, recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, seek help when needed, and support others who are struggling. It can also reduce the stigma and discrimination that prevent people from getting the help they need.
Mental health awareness can be promoted in various ways, such as:
– Educating ourselves and others about mental health and mental illness
– Sharing our own experiences and stories of recovery
– Listening with empathy and compassion to those who are suffering
– Offering support and encouragement to those who seek help
– Advocating for better policies and services for mental health care
– Participating in campaigns and events that raise awareness and funds for mental health causes
By raising mental health awareness, we can create a more inclusive, supportive, and healthy society for everyone.
