Welsh Farming Mental Health Advocate Emma O'Sullivan Receives National Recognition
As this year's Mind Your Head week concludes, focus shifts to the dedicated individuals whose persistent efforts have significantly bolstered mental wellbeing within farming communities across the United Kingdom. In an industry where stoicism is frequently ingrained, these advocates have steadily transformed the dialogue—breaking down barriers, confronting stigma, and, in critical instances, preserving lives.
A Personal Tragedy Sparks a National Movement
Stephanie Berkeley, manager of The Farm Safety Foundation, the charity organizing the Mind Your Head campaign, stated: "Wales's Mind Your Head Hero is a woman whose resilience, compassion, and quiet determination have made rural mental health support accessible nationwide." Many recognize her as Emma Picton-Jones, founder of The DPJ Foundation, but her profound journey and the lives she has impacted define her more than any name.
Emma O'Sullivan embodies rural life: a primary teacher and deputy head at Saundersfoot School, a small-scale sheep farmer, and a mother of three children—Mali, Trystan, and Eryn—all connected to their family farm in Clarbeston, Pembrokeshire. However, it was profound loss, not ambition, that propelled her into becoming a leading mental health advocate for Welsh agriculture.
The Foundation's Origin and Expansion
In July 2016, at age 27, Emma was widowed following the suicide of her husband, Daniel Picton-Jones. In the immediate aftermath, she grasped the extensive, often silent mental health struggles within the farming sector—issues commonly concealed, ignored, or faced in isolation.
From this realization emerged The DPJ Foundation, established in Daniel's memory to diminish stigma, deliver substantive support, and arm individuals in agriculture with the awareness and skills to identify and address mental health crises.
What originated in Pembrokeshire as a memorial has evolved into a powerful national initiative. Under Emma's guidance, the Foundation's Share the Load helpline and counseling service, launched in 2018, has provided professional assistance to over 1,400 individuals, offering a compassionate ear to many more via phone or text.
Innovative Outreach and Tangible Results
The Foundation's work has expanded through practical, thoughtful methods. The Hywel Davies lorry, introduced in late 2019, has journeyed throughout south-west Wales and beyond, providing farmers with physical health assessments and a private environment to discuss mental health concerns.
Its effectiveness inspired Lori y Gogledd, extending identical services to northern regions. Collectively, these mobile units have engaged more than 2,500 people, with each interaction representing a step toward healthier rural communities.
Additionally, over 5,000 participants across Wales have attended DPJ mental health awareness sessions, empowering neighbors, friends, and professionals with essential knowledge to support others. The Foundation has also initiated a podcast, widened its outreach, and diligently worked to elevate rural mental health visibility in Wales.
A Legacy of Hope and Recognition
Emma's contributions have garnered a Pride of Britain Award, acknowledging influence that transcends Welsh borders. Yet, the most striking aspect of her work is its execution: characterized by humanity, humility, and a steadfast conviction that no farmer should endure their most difficult moments alone.
Stephanie Berkeley emphasized: "Today, as Wales's Mind Your Head Hero, Emma O'Sullivan exemplifies what courage can construct: not merely a charity, but a vital lifeline; not just a reaction to tragedy, but an enduring legacy of hope for farming families nationwide."
