Survey fears for farmers’ health

A major survey of the mental and physical health of farmerssouthoftheborder has found that more than a third of those in the industry suffer from depression, while more than half of female respondents suffer from anxiety.

Published yesterday, the work was commissioned by the countryside charity, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), and found that the major causes of stress in the industry included: regulation, complianceandinspection,cov id-19,bad/unpredictableweather, loss of subsides and future trade deals.

Theresults,whichwerebased on over 15,000 responses, also revealed that over half of the farming community experienced pain and discomfort, with one in four having mobilityproblemsandmorethanone fifth problems in undertaking usualtasksduetohealthissues.

However, despite highlighting some of the fears over the major changes facing the sector, the survey also revealed that more than half of all farmersremainedoptimistic,believing their business would still be viable in five year’s time.

Commenting on the findings,

Chris Mcvey, welfare manager with RSABI which provides support in Scotland, said that while the results had come from England,similarcausesofstress affected Scottish farmers – and she hoped the survey would stimulate positive conversation throughout the industry around mental health and wellbeing.

“The finding about farmers having multiple causes of stress is something that we recognise in our work. It isoftenacombinationoffactors,forexamplebadweatherontopoffinancialdifficulty that cause people to seek our support.”