Pembrokeshire Rural Outreach highlighted the fact that the number of farmers committing suicide in Wales is rising -even though incidents elsewhere in Britain are falling - at a recent conference to coincide with Rural Health Week. The conference titled 'How green is our county; a rural idyll or an obstacle course?' held at the County Showground, highlighted the continuing issue of rural stress in the county and the work of PRO and other related agencies such as the Rural Stress Information Network, which operates a helpline currently receiving up to 130 calls a week (a third coming from Wales). The conference, attended by over 30 delegates, was addressed by two keynote speakers, Rory O'Sullivan (head of Agriculture Policy, Welsh Assembly Government) and Jane Randall-Smith (chief executive, Institute of Rural Health). Local theatre group 'Theatr Fforwm Cymru' ran a stimulating and engaging workshop involving typical situations on an average Welsh family farm. This provoked many questions as well as practical solutions, and several members of the audience were invited to participate in the scenario to test their ideas. PRO's project co-ordinator, Joan Evans, is available to make informal talks and presentations with the aid of a video called 'Help at Hand' to any farming, rural or community groups and schools, offering information, help and appropriate sign-posting to those in need. For more information about the work of PRO, contact Joan Evans on (01437) 711119.
