Mental Health Awareness Week: Farmers share wellbeing tips

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 15-21 May and farmers across the country are being urged to break down the stigma surrounding mental wellbeing.

A recent survey carried out by the Farm Safety Foundation found 94% of farmers aged under 40 agreed poor mental health is one of the farming sector’s greatest hidden problems.

Gauging the scale of the crisis, the same study used the Warwick Edinburgh mental wellbeing scales to evaluate mental health in the industry, and found that wellbeing has deteriorated year-on-year over a three-year period.

See also: Top tips from three multitasking farming mums

The survey of 900 people also found that farmers over the age of 40 reported lower mental wellbeing than their younger counterparts.

Stephanie Berkeley, manager at the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), said: “Levels of mental wellbeing are deteriorating, and it’s important to recognise when you are not finding joy. Help is out there, and nobody is ever going to judge you.

“We are only here once; reach out to people, and know that you are not alone. You might be surprised by how many people feel the same as you.”

Farmers Weekly spoke to farmers across the country to get their tips for improving their mental wellbeing.

Self-care

Not originally from a farming background, Milly Fyfe met her husband through YFC, and the pair are based in Northamptonshire on a mixed arable and livestock farm.

Milly has always spoken openly about her mental health challenges, and is passionate about encouraging others to look after their mental wellbeing.

“Being on a farm and looking after two young children generally on my own led to a lot of anxiety and loneliness,” said Milly.

“I’m a social person, and because I’m quite capable, people perhaps don’t think I would struggle with my mental health.”

Milly is a big advocate of the benefits of self-care, and makes time to get off farm each week to attend a pilates class or have a family day with her children.

“Having that short break really helps, and makes life a lot more manageable,” she said.

“Reaching out and asking for help has meant that I now have some crucial friends that I can speak to if I’m having a tough time, and I can mull things over with them and make sense of a situation.”

She also advises finding a hobby that can provide a welcome break from work stresses.

“My escape is my garden, and I love growing things. For me, it represents taking that break and having a hobby that isn’t work related,” says Milly.

“It is something you can enjoy as a family. It is part of self-care and taking a break, and it helps to recharge your batteries.”

Reach out and talk to friends

Tom Ware, a young farmer from Nottinghamshire, is passionate about inspiring fellow young farmers to reach out for help and get talking about their mental health.

After working alongside Leonard Eadon, a young farmer who took his own life on New Year’s Day in 2022, Tom established the Just Talk Agri initiative, and has since been working closely with the Farming Community Network (FCN) and the Yellow Wellies “Mind Your Head” campaign to promote mental health awareness among young farmers.

Tom Ware © Tom Ware

“The biggest message we are trying to get out is that no one is alone. We are all here for each other, and it is OK not to be OK. Someone is always at the end of the phone,” says Tom.

“We need the younger generation of farmers to know that they can talk and help others.”

For Tom, calling a friend and making time to meet up and talk are essential to maintaining his mental wellbeing. 

Keep moving

Lincolnshire arable farmer Charles Anyan says physical activity has strong links to mental wellbeing.

As an FCN ambassador and judge of this year’s Britain’s Fittest Farmer competition, his relationship with physical and mental wellness is well documented.

Once a self-professed “trainer hater”, Charles has found exercising is a key tool for managing stress and promoting a healthy mindset.

“My biggest tip is to buy a pair of trainers and keep moving,” he says. “Physical and mental health are very closely interlinked, and exercise is a wonderful stress remover. A healthy body equals a healthy mind.

“You’ve also got to back yourself and have a bit of faith in what you can achieve.”

Embrace your surroundings

Young farmer and Manchester University politics student Hannah Cuthbert, from Lincolnshire, says with the everyday pressures farmers are facing, it is easy to lose sight of the joys of the job.

Hannah Cuthbert © Hannah Cuthbert

“It’s important to contextualise where you are. Go and take a walk through a few of your fields and remember the rewarding elements of the job,” she says. 

“You are providing the country with food and looking after the special environments for other people to enjoy. There is a lot to feel proud about, and it’s good to acknowledge that.”