Prince and Princess of Wales discuss mental health on farm visit

Farmers have heaped praise on the Prince and Princess of Wales for bringing into focus mental health issues in agriculture.

Prince William and Princess Catherine visited Duchy tenant farmers Sam and Emily Stables at Kings Pitt Farm in Aconbury, Herefordshire, on Thursday 14 September.

The royal couple visited to learn more about We Are Farming Minds, a charity set up by Mr and Mrs Stables three years ago to help support the mental health of farmers.

See also: How farmers can deal with mental health at times of pressure

Mr Stables was previously praised by King Charles for speaking openly about his own mental health struggles in the past. The father-of-two had planned to take his own life before his mother alerted neighbours, who came to his aid.

His struggles with his mental health led to the formation of the charity, which aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health in farming and urges farmers to talk candidly about their problems.

Compassionate

Speaking after the visit, Mr Stables said talking to the royal couple was “like speaking to good friends” and they were both very passionate about tackling mental health issues.

“William is a compassionate and understanding person; you couldn’t want to speak to a nicer chap,” said Mr Stables.

“I know we will have a fantastic partnership with them. In agriculture, there are tricky times ahead, so to have his support is amazing.”

Duchy initiative

Prince William, who inherited the Duchy of Cornwall estate and the title Prince of Wales from his father, King Charles, has launched a new mental health scheme to provide care and support for all farming tenants of the estate.

Kerry McGavin, project manager at We Are Farming Minds, said: “The Prince and Princess of Wales were keen to find out about the work of the charity and the issues farmers are facing on a daily basis over the mental health crisis, which is what it is in farming.

“We were talking about the different sectors and how most of the farmers we have coming to us for help are livestock farmers. We do not see many arable or poultry farmers.

“Farming has one of the highest suicide rates of all the industries. In Herefordshire alone, five farmers have taken their own lives in the past year.

“Farmers are under enormous pressure and with the BPS payment scheme going, it is just going to get worse.”

The royal couple also met farmers who had benefited from the charity’s work, which was a “very powerful” experience.

The Duchy has launched a new video as part of its new mental health awareness initiative.

Matthew Morris, rural director at the Duchy of Cornwall, said: “A farmer a week commits suicide. That’s 52 farmers a year. It’s tragic for the people involved, but it’s the people that are left behind.

“I lost a colleague through suicide a few years ago and I’ve never forgotten it. I saw the impact that had on their family and their friends. I want to do my part in helping change that.”