Mental health farming’s ‘biggest hidden problem’

MENTAL health could prove the “most devastating” challenge that has faced the farming industry in recent years, campaigners are warning.

The Farm Safety Foundation’s Mind Your Head campaign highlights what is a worsening crisis in the agricultural sector.

Now in its seventh year, the initiative aims to raise awareness of the various challenges facing the nation’s farmers, break down the stigma attached to poor mental wellbeing in the industry and increase help, connecting rural workers with the support they need.

According to the charity’s latest survey of 450 farmers under the age of 40, respondents almost universally (95%) agreed that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry today.

Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, also known as Yellow Wellies, said the findings come against a backdrop of increasingly extreme weather events, with the effects of a “relentless” season of storms having had “huge consequences” for those whose lives and livelihoods depend on the land.

“Fields flooded, crops destroyed and animals in danger have made recent headlines but this is only the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “The UK’s farming industry has faced many challenges over the past few years but the emerging mental health challenge may prove the most devastating.”

The research also found that farmers with shorter working hours demonstrated higher levels of mental wellbeing, with 61% of those surveyed saying that they worked at least a 10-hour day, and 15% working for 14-15 hours a day. Many admitted to rarely or never taking a day off.

Agriculture continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK with 21 farm worker deaths in 2022-23, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

But more worrying still are the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which recorded that a total of 36 farmers took their own lives in England and Wales in 2021.

Ms Berkeley said: “Mind Your Head launched in 2018 when concerns about Brexit, policies, administration and legislation were causing increased anxiety in the industry. Fast forward seven years and the campaign has grown and is now recognised by 67% of farmers in the UK.

“Mental health is always a sensitive subject but it’s something that is thankfully growing in importance

and profile. The answer to the question “who cares?” is everyone – and everyone should.

“Agriculture is a proud and hardworking industry and vital to the UK economy. Far from being downtrodden, the UK’s farmers are resilient and resourceful and committed to finding ways to tackle any challenge they face.

“Over the years we’ve been encouraged by the growing numbers of farm businesses and organisations wanting to learn more about how to help their workers and suppliers as well the incredible individuals taking steps to improve their mental wellbeing and, in this year’s campaign, we will be highlighting them and hopefully inspiring many more to do the same.”

For 2024’s Mind Your Head, the Farm Safety Foundation has also been working with film director, Rebecca Rose and Swift Rocket Films to premiere an original award-winning independent British short film. Titled WAKE, it explores the aftermath of suicide in a farming family and how they cope both psychologically and practically.

The Mind Your Head campaign has also attracted the support of celebrities including former Emmerdale actor and Strictly Come Dancing winner Kelvin Fletcher, who started farming in 2021 after buying a 120-acre farm in the Peak District, and BBC Countryfile presenter and Cotswold farmer Adam Henson, who started campaigning and raising awareness of mental health issues following the loss of a farming friend to suicide in 2018.

For more information on the Mind Your Head campaign, visit the website

> Farmer Adam Henson