Farmers are regularly forced to deal with issues on the farm that are beyond their control, such as animal disease, volatile energy prices, fluctuating raw material prices and the British weather. With the changes in domestic agricultural policy, many farmers are currently facing great uncertainty about the future of their farm business.
According to the latest statistics, 81% of farmers aged 40 and under believe that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem faced by farmers today. With as many as 1 in 4 people in the UK experiencing poor mental health at some stage in their lives, an overwhelming 92% of farmers believe that promoting good mental health is crucial in the battle to save lives and keep farmers safe. Farming can be a very isolating and lonely occupation, often involving long hours spent out in the field with little or no form of social interaction. With the overall illness rate for agricultural workers sitting 46% higher than the industry average, farmers and farming families across the UK are particularly susceptible to poor mental health caused by stress, anxiety and depression.
As an industry, we have a collective responsibility to do something about the stigma surrounding poor mental health and every one of us has a role to play in helping to achieve this. Simply talking about problems is often the first step towards improved mental wellbeing. Sadly, too often, the stigma around mental health prevents those who need support from seeking it, but there has never been a time when this has been more relevant. With mental health being something that the next generation consider the 'biggest hidden problem', now is the time to start to tackle it. Mental health is a normal part of life, everybody has it and we need to take care of it. That is why we are focused on helping to build a community of support and resources for those affected.
If you, or someone you care about, experiences some of these symptoms, remember you are not alone in feeling this way. You will be surprised at just how many people recognise these feelings because they too have felt them.
If someone close to you is showing signs of poor mental health there are a number of things you can do to help. Our industry is currently facing uncertain times so when faced with these challenges, it’s reassuring to know that there are a number of resources you can access and charities that you can lean on. Below are details of some of these incredible organisations. Their practical advice, guidance and support continue to make a huge difference to many in the farming community.
