Hannah Reddaway: Prioritising wellbeing is essential for farmers
© Budimir Jevtic/Adobe Stock I’ve been looking at the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution’s Big Farming Survey, which revealed one-third of us are likely depressed, and almost half are experiencing anxiety, with a strong connection between loneliness and mental health issues.
It’s easy to attribute the long hours spent working alone and the isolating nature of our rural settings as the culprits behind this.
However, our roles within farming, with their respective burdens, can contribute to a sense of loneliness in everyday life.
See also: Hannah Reddaway – sepsis shock prompts safety rethink
About the author
Many of us have grown up seeing our fathers bear the weight of daily stresses, constant demands and unpredictable challenges on the farm, while our mothers shoulder the immense responsibility of managing the household and raising children.
Those of us venturing into agriculture find ourselves navigating high expectations and readjusting to a secluded lifestyle after school or university.
As responsibilities shift between generations, it’s natural to feel isolated.
Older generations may struggle to embrace change and relinquish control, and the younger generation may feel unheard and untrusted.
It helps everyone to have open communication and decision-making, and recognise the value of partners and different generations.
Empowering the older generation as mentors to share their wealth of experience, while also embracing fresh ideas and perspectives strengthens our relationships and cultivates a shared sense of purpose.
No matter how busy we are, prioritising our wellbeing is essential – you can’t farm without farmers.
To confront loneliness head on, it’s vital that we reach out for support from friends, family or professional counsellors.
Engaging in hobbies and local events provides opportunities to meet others and have an outlet from daily pressures.
By acknowledging the unique struggles faced by different farming groups, we can foster understanding, camaraderie and overall wellbeing.
Let’s build stronger bridges between generations, promote the benefits of inclusivity and provide the support to make a positive difference in combating loneliness in our communities.