Opinion: Is there political will to invest in rural services?

Last month I attended an event in Brussels on the mental health of farmers across Europe.

I was accompanied by three inspirational Harper Adams students and young farmers who have led efforts to raise awareness of the issue.

One of them posed a very good question, saying “it’s good that we are all in this room talking about it, but what is actually being done to support farmers better?”

It is a question that ought to be at the top of the new Labour government’s agenda.

See also: Rough season brings mental health reflection

At the start of the new parliament, Defra has a perfect opportunity to look at the provision of mental health support across our farming communities.

It shouldn’t have too difficult a task diagnosing the problem and identifying solutions – a comprehensive report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee published last year provides some very good ideas.

Though we know that various organisations and individuals – including mental health charities, counsellors, chaplains, young farmers’ clubs, and places of education – play a vital role in supporting farmers’ mental health, it shouldn’t be left to civil society to plug a gaping hole in rural mental healthcare provision.

And, though in theory we have a universal, free healthcare system, many readers will have faced struggles in getting local GP appointments and outpatient treatment for their physical ailments, let alone their mental health.

Mental wellbeing

It is true that some farmers still face a stigma in asking for support with their mental wellbeing.

It can take a huge amount of courage for individuals to do so. But if support is not there when they do ask for it, this can be a huge blow.

The response of the last government to criticisms over the lack of support for farmers’ mental health was that the Farming Resilience Fund tackled the problem.

It may have helped some farmers to adapt through the provision of free business advice, but we know that business advice alone does not significantly improve mental health.

NY FarmNet, an organisation supporting farmers in New York State for nearly 40 years by providing integrated business and social wellbeing advice, and Rural Support in Northern Ireland, which does something similar, know this.

Adapting farm businesses and transitioning towards net zero is not just a technical process.

It is deeply social,  hindered by family conflict, bereavement, relationship breakdown, succession challenges, and many other drivers of poor mental wellbeing.

The Farming Resilience Fund doesn’t provide enough support to farmers on these issues.

Apparently, there is little money available in Defra – but what could be more important than supporting the wellbeing of our farmers, and those who support them?

Though we were promised “change” by the new government, it appears as if things have to get worse before they get better.

As farmers continue to be relentlessly pressured by climate change, a critical media, crop and animal diseases, rural crime, policy change, and many other business and social challenges, there just isn’t time for things to get worse.

Until there is the political will to invest in rural services, and to join up action across government departments, farmers will continue to be reliant on a network of inspirational organisations and individuals – the “accidental counsellors” providing hope.