New FCN/Nuffield Farming scholarship targets mental health

A new scholarship inspired by a farming couple whose son took his own life is being launched by the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust to help stimulate ideas to improve mental health and wellbeing among farmers.

Rural support charity The Farming Community Network (FCN) is sponsoring the FCN/Len’s Light Nuffield Farming Scholarship specifically for applicants to study topics that support people in farming and rural communities, and help to address issues of loneliness and isolation.

See also: Len’s Light campaign heads to Harper Adams University

Topics that explore health inequalities in rural communities, or encourage a positive mindset and help to build resilience, are also being encouraged.

The scholarship is inspired by Warwickshire farmers Andy and Lynda Eadon, whose lost their son, Len, in January 2022, and have since been raising awareness of mental health challenges.

Their “Len’s Light” campaign has been raising funds for FCN, Yellow Wellies and Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide.

The couple said they were grateful that the opportunity had been created to build further on the legacy they were trying to leave in Len’s name.

They have highlighted the importance of young people understanding their own mental health “and the need to be honest, open and talk”.

“We continually talk about ‘positive’ mental health to try to reduce the stigma that the words ‘mental health’ have,” said the Eadons.

“No one in the rural community should feel alone and isolated, and this new scholarship has the ability to shine a light brighter and wider on the complex issues that affect everyone’s mental health.”

It is hoped that the scholarship’s findings and recommendations could help to create further support across the agricultural sector and generate important positive conversations, while also reducing stigma around mental health and wellbeing.