Mental Health

Upon losing a close farming friend to suicide, Adam Henson embarked on a project with Team Doctor to create the Keeping on Track podcast, which aims to erase the stigma around mental health in farming and raise awareness of the challenges those in the rural profession face.

The Duchy of Cornwall and Prince William have spent the past year developing a strategy to prioritise the mental wellbeing of their tenants.

Many farmers are worried for the future as unseasonal wet weather continues to hamper this year’s harvest. Farmers Guide caught up with Suffolk rural chaplain Graham Miles and farming charity FCN who offered advice for those who are struggling.

UK livestock markets have raised thousands of pounds for mental health charities, in support of Len’s Light Tractor Relay – which saw a Warwickshire farming couple travel 2,000 miles in honour of their son, who died by suicide last year.

The Addington Fund has launched two new greetings cards to help fundraise for its work supporting rural communities.

With the rate of suicide reported to be alarmingly higher in farming compared to the national average, Jeremy Clarkson is on a mission to help raise awareness of poor mental health in farming caused by mounting financial and societal pressures.

Farming minister Mark Spencer drove a John Deere tractor into the Houses of Parliament recently as part of the Len’s Light Tractor Relay, which aims to raise awareness and break down the stigma around mental health in the farming sector.

At the Royal Cornwall Show last Thursday (8th June), RABI chief executive Alicia Chivers met with Defra environment secretary Thérèse Coffey to discuss the charity’s latest work in tackling mental health challenges in farming and the continued need for farmer wellbeing to remain on the political agenda.

Spiralling production costs, unfairness in the supply chain, and a rise in rural crime have been identified as some of the main factors contributing to poor mental health in farming in a recent survey conducted by the NFU.

Building on evidence gained via RABI’s recent Big Farming Survey, the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has put forward urgent recommendations in its inquiry into poor mental health in rural communities, a move welcomed by the farming charity.

Hereford farmers Sam and Emily Stables have been given an award for their efforts to break the stigma of mental health issues and loneliness in the farming community.

A new study funded by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI) has linked financial worries, long working hours and loneliness with “concerning” levels of anxiety among farming women, with younger generations being the most severely affected.