Campaign advises on mental health help for farmers

Farmers are being encouraged to take care of their mental health as part of a new campaign launched today.

The Mind Your Head campaign, run by the Farm Safety Foundation charity, aims to show farmers what help is available when they are suffering from stress, depression and anxiety.

According to the charity, 81% of farmers under 40 believe mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the sector.

“This year we are mounting the week-long campaign in the run-up to one of the biggest and possibly most stressful events facing the industry – Brexit,” said Stephenie Berkeley, who leads the charity.

“In previous times of stress such as the BSE crisis in 1986 and the outbreak of foot and mouth in 2001, there was a sharp increase in the number of farmer suicides as farm incomes declined. Learning from past experiences, we need to be prepared to support our farmers through this time.

“As an industry, we have a collective responsibility to do something about the issue of poor mental health and the risk of suicide.”

For details visit www.yellowwellies.org.