Mental Health

Mental health in the workplace has in recent years gained much more coverage in the media.  It is not a new phenomenon, it is just that it is spoken about more openly than it ever has been.

Farming is not simply a job for most, it is a way of life and for many, it is hard both physically and mentally. 

Farmers work long hours, often in isolation and for some they have no family or friends close by.  Despite the increase in awareness around mental health, most farmers do not talk about mental health or about the stresses and strains they are under mentally or physically. 

The Farm Safety Foundation conducted research and found that four out of five young farmers under 40 believe that mental health is the biggest hidden problem in agriculture today.  In Wales, the DJP Foundation published data which identified that 52 agricultural workers a year in the UK take their own life.  

There have been great strides taken to try to encourage those working in agriculture to reach out of they need help, and while there are many organisations available to provide the much needed support and assistance, most farmers are not good at asking for help.  In fact most people suffering mental health conditions have found very effective ways of disguising these and in the current climate support systems have been further eroded.

Farmers will bend over backwards to look after their livestock, machinery and crops but unfortunately they don't put the same level of effort into taking care of themselves. 

If you are concerned about your mental health or you think that someone you know may need help, there are many free support services available to help.