Farmers encouraged to ‘open up’ for Mind Your Head week
© Farm Safety Foundation Farmers are being encouraged to look after their mental health and ask for help if they are struggling – at the start of an industry campaign striving to improve wellbeing in agriculture.
“Talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling” is the message from the Farm Safety Foundation, which is running Mind Your Head week from 14-18 February.
The rural charity has called for the industry to address the issue of poor mental health head on, and will use the week to show people help is available and promote the benefits of talking.
See also: Where farmers in need can find charity help
Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, said: “We need to talk about our feelings and let everyone living and working in farming know that it’s completely OK to have feelings, good and bad, but it’s also important to let them out.
“Life isn’t always as it seems, we don’t post on social media about the days that we wished we didn’t get out of bed or the days we didn’t feel like it.”
In recent times, farmers have been dealing with the damaging effects of the coronavirus pandemic, both to their personal lives and to their businesses.
Ms Berkeley said the pressure British farmers were under made this year’s campaign even more crucial.
“Many living and working in rural communities are suffering and doing so in silence,” she said.
“As an industry, it’s time to ease the pressure, stop expecting people to be perfect, and start talking openly about feelings with people you trust.
“It is important to check in with yourself and others, and reach out to those who may be feeling down, lonely or struggling. Whatever it is that you choose to do, just know that your mental health should never be ignored and you are not alone.”
How often do we say we’re ok when we’re not?
How often do you really listen when you ask someone?Get to the heart of the matter this #ValentinesDay & always #AskTwice. Take a minute to watch & share our new video.
& #MindYourHead 💛 pic.twitter.com/4pI63SpjGv
— Farm Safety Foundation (@yellowwelliesuk) February 14, 2022
Hidden problem
Actor and new entrant Kelvin Fletcher, who last year bought a farm in the Peak District, is lending his support to this year’s Mind Your Head campaign, joining farmers and organisations across the UK in trying to tackle the stigma around poor mental health in the industry.
“I feel really privileged to have been welcomed so warmly by the farming community, who have supported me so much since I started my farm last year,” he said.
“Before joining farming, I had no idea the community was so heavily impacted by bad mental health. Campaigns like Mind Your Head are so important if we’re going to chip away at the stigma that surrounds mental illness in the industry.”
Recent research by the Farm Safety Foundation revealed that 92% of UK farmers under the age of 40 believe poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers.
Furthermore, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution published the findings of its major mental health survey last year, which revealed that 36% of the 15,000 rural workers it spoke to were “probably or possibly depressed”.
Listen to Kelvin Fletcher’s interview with the Farmers Weekly Boots and Heels podcast on Tuesday 15 February.