Important that you look after your mental health

I WOULD like to start this column by wishing you all a happy new year again and hope you enjoyed the Christmas period.

This coming year will no doubt bring with it many challenges and some might be feeling more anxious than hopeful about the year ahead.

What will the weather do? Will my herd pass the bovine TB test? And where is my export market if we crash out of the EU with no deal?

These might be just some of the questions on your mind, and could possibly just be the tip of the iceberg.

For many farmers, rural businesses and families having a chat about being stressed out and what to do and where to go for help, sits perhaps below the to do list of a busy schedule.

And that’s exactly why I want to remind you that it is so important that you look after your mental

health.

If we don’t talk to each other we can’t support one another and then we end up with problems and an industry that isn’t facing up to the reality of how mental health affects us all.

The FUW made a commitment at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in 2017 to continue raising awareness of mental health problems in rural communities, and even though mental health is discussed more openly, there remains a stigma which needs to go.

We know that one in four people will suffer with mental health problems in their lifetime,

it is not an uncommon illness and one which we need to work together to tackle.

Therefore, in line with our commitment to keep talking about mental health, our county staff attended a special mental health training workshop provided by Emma Picton-Jones of the DPJ Foundation.

It reinforced the need to be aware of the problems and to take note of the sometimes subtle signs of poor mental health in our rural communities.

It is easy to underestimate how important the mind is when it comes to farming and talking to someone is often the first step to

improving mental wellbeing.

As a community and through talking to each other we can reduce the stress and strains that come from poor mental health and anxiety and become a better supported industry that talks about issues that are affecting the here and now.

With that in mind, I strongly encourage anyone who is worried about their own mental health or a loved-one, to seek help from the Farming Community Network, Tir Dewi, The DPJ Foundation, Mind Cymru or Call Helpline Wales.

And you can always pop into the office to have a chat with us!