Is mental health message actually being heard?

The mental health of farmers is finally moving up the agenda and there can be few in the farming community who haven’t heard the slogan ‘It’s OK to say you’re not OK’. Whether the message has been understood or is being acted on is anybody’s guess. Fear of the stigma attached to mental health problems is as strong as ever and men in particular are still reluctant to admit it if they are struggling to cope.

One farmer, sponsored by RHASS and RSABI and others, came from New Zealand to speak to Scottish farmers about his battle with adversity and depression. There is no way of knowing whether the farmers who needed to hear Doug Avery attended his events, or whether all those who attended heard what they expected to hear. Some turned up anticipating a presentation on how to make their farm business more resilient and fit for the future. That’s what they got, and much more – the first lesson being that it’s essential to develop a different mindset.

The second lesson was on developing emotional resilience and its importance to mental wellbeing. His audiences learned about drought-resistant forage crops. There was hugging, a singalong and far too much to take in at one sitting. A few follow-up discussion sessions would certainly have been useful, using Skype.

It’s not only those suffering from depression who are reluctant to speak about it. It’s equally difficult for families and friends. Doug credited his wife, Wendy, and their family for standing by him at his lowest point. His story was inspiring and it would have been equally inspiring to hear Wendy Avery’s side of it. Some farmers deal successfully with depression, others struggle to cope but family, friends, employees and everyone who helps to keep the show on the road have to live with it too, enduring the bad days and hoping that relationships can weather the storm. There’s no advice or support for them and that’s not OK.

It’s OK to say you’re not OK, but what then, when NHS mental health services are stretched to the limit and it seems there’s no one to turn to?

RHASS, RSABI and the other sponsors clearly believed that we needed to hear Doug’s story. They were right and they are well-placed to take the lead in promoting his strategies to the farming community.

With challenging times ahead, they’re going to be needed.

Depression fight: Doug Avery at Grassmere, Marlborough, his farm in New Zealand.