The last 12 months or so have been, to put it simply, strange. With us all being put on house arrest, many not working or even losing their jobs, we have all felt the consequences of COVID-19 in some shape or form. As a result of last year’s 3-month lockdown, many farmers’ social calendars cleared up. All shows, breed society sales, and other gatherings were put on hold, increasing the loneliness of an already isolating job.
Over the last 2/3 years, we have started taking steps in the right direction to speak openly about the effects the long hours, painful losses and in some cases constant threats, have on the mental health of farmers and their families. With charities such as Yellow Wellies raising awareness, we have all learnt the importance of speaking about our issues and finding the right help. Yellow Wellies reports that 4 out of 5 farmers under the age of 40 have admitted to struggling with mental health issues, and that at least one farmer a week commits suicide – the highest in any occupation.
In an industry with the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK, stress is often a key factor in many of the accidents, injuries and illnesses taking place on farms. Stress is something that many farmers face at many points of their lives and is an important contributor to mental health problems. It can come from many angles such as financial pressures resulting from fluctuating market prices, livestock diseases and inadequate harvests. Growing concerns about Brexit, policies changing, never-ending paperwork, and increase in legislations have also been reported to contribute to stress levels.
It is suggested that the conservative nature of the community may cause many farmers to feel unable to seek help, or be able to speak freely about their feelings, despite this the “Mind Your Head” campaign encourages farmers and farming families to focus on themselves and seek the help they need, and to ‘open up’ and grab advice no matter what their concerns are. Documentaries and new videos are helping to rip the band aid off how to get the taboo conversation started and social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have seen rises of campaigns and challenges to raise support within the community.
The Farm Safety Foundation, another farming charity, is bringing together key organisations in the industry to work together in support of the “Mind your Head” campaign, in the hope that farmers and their families know where, when, and how to seek help if and when they need it.
Organisations such as the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Rural Support and the Farming Community Network (FCN) – a voluntary organisation providing pastoral and practical support for farmers and farming families, who are going through difficult times can also help. Charles W. Smith, Chief Executive of the FCN explains: “When it comes to important farm safety equipment, people usually think of tractor roll bars, shedding gates for livestock and high-vis clothing. But there is another piece of kit, which when used properly, is even better – the mind.”
“It is very easy to underestimate just how important the mind is when it comes to farming. Along with the body, it is, without doubt, the best bit of kit a farmer can have. The Farm Safety Foundation does amazing work in providing advice and resources about farm safety and encouraging farmers to take all relevant safety precautions before carrying out their work. However, if your mind and body are not well-maintained, as well as your machinery, it is very easy to become less conscious of the dangers around you.”
Charles adds: “Talking to someone about your problems is often the first step to improving your mental wellbeing. But who? If not family or friends, then why not speak to someone you don’t know – someone you have no emotional attachment with, but who has a great understanding of what you may be going through?”
The most important part to take away from this is that no matter who you are, you are never alone and if you need someone to talk to, there are always people willing to listen. Shows, sales and other social events – which are often the only time farmers get to see anyone other than a vet- have confirmed dates for this year and I don’t know about you but the thought of having a catch up with my friends is definitely giving me some hope.
Further information and help is available by clicking on the following links:
https://www.yellowwellies.org/mind-your-head/
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
