A drive to improve the health and wellbeing of Scotland’s farmers was launched on a farm in the north-east yesterday.
NHS Grampian’s public health team has joined forces with NFU Scotland to launch a local edition of Fit for Farming – an information booklet aimed at helping farmers lead healthy, happy lives.
It includes information on phyiscal and mental health topics, and a usfeul directory of local services and help lines.
NHS Grampian’s director of public health, Susan Webb, said: “We recognise that those working in the agricultural sector in Grampian face daily challenges that can take their toll on the health of the farmer.
“In partnership with the NFU Scotland, we are committed to helping everyone in the farming community to look after their own health.”
NFU Scotland’s north-east regional chairman and Banchory farmer, Davie Winton, welcomed the launch of the booklet.
He said: “We hope that this booklet will encourage farmers and crofters to make their health and wellbeing a priority and take time to look after themselves, and those around them. Agriculture can often be a lonely industry to work in, particularly for more remote areas, and we hope by raising awareness of this issue that farmers, crofters and those working in the industry take the time to read this booklet, and seek help.”
Jim Pollard of the Men’s Health Forum, which wrote the original booklet, said: “One farmer’s wife told us that it was Fit for Farming that enabled her to persuade her husband to see the GP. You can’t get higher praise than that. We think farmers appreciate the high yield of information – all you need to know in just 40 easy-to-read pages.”