Talking it over first step to mental well-being
It’s good to talk, as a new film designed to help farmers open up about mental health shows Athwenna Irons reports
ANEW short film featuring two Westcountry farmers openly discussing their experiences of mental ill-health and how seeking support helped them will hit the small screen this week.
Its launch comes as Farming Help Awareness Week, which is taking place from February 22-26, aims to help promote the work of the Farming Help charities – The Farming Community Network (FCN), Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI), Addington Fund and Forage Aid, supported by the Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF).
Farming Help is an alliance, created by the charities, to provide a platform to consider how they can work together to secure the best possible outcomes for farming people.
In the short film, titled ‘Farming and Better Mental Health’ and directed by Berno Vierbergen, former dairy and sheep farmer and FCN volunteer, Nick Viney, talks candidly to Dorset farmer Trevor Cligg about their experiences of mental ill-health and the support they received. It can be viewed on YouTube. Mr Viney, the FCN’s Dorset co-ordinator, said: “We hope the short film encourages anyone in the farming community experiencing mental ill-health or dealing with other pressures on the farm to seek help early, talk about it and not be ashamed of how they’re feeling.
“We hope those who watch the film will be encouraged to share it to let people know that there are support networks available, such as FCN and the other Farming Help charities. It can make a real difference and can help you get through difficult times.”
Mr Cligg, from Pipplepen Farm near Beaminster, explained that after years of pressure on the farm, he found his mental health was “not in a good place”. He continued: “I struggled with motivation and kept to myself a lot of the time. My family insisted I see a doctor and seek support. Mental ill-health can affect all of us – you have to accept you have a problem; only then can you get help to deal with it.
“I wish more people would talk about how they’re feeling – a lot of people are struggling and stay out of sight or withdraw, and some hide in plain sight. Talking about what we’re going through with the people around us and available to listen is one of the most important things we can do.”
The Farming Help Awareness Week encourages the charities to highlight the unique ways that they provide support to the farming community and lets people know that help is available to those in need.
Over the next five days, the Farming Help charities will also be sharing posts across their social media channels highlighting the work they do and the support available to the farming community.
It follows hot on the heels of the Farm Safety Foundation’s Mind Your Head campaign, which ran last week and aimed to illustrate actions being taken to break down mental health barriers in farming.
A recent study by the leading farm safety charity, also known as Yellow Wellies, found that mental health issues among farmers and agricultural workers are of growing concern, and having a direct impact on the overall safety of farms. In total, 88% of farmers under the age of 40 believe that mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today - an increase from 82% in 2018.
Now in its fourth year, the campaign focused on prevention and early identification of risk factors associated with those living and working in the UK farming industry, as well as highlighting the wealth of support available.
If you are struggling or would like to speak to someone confidentially, call Farming Help on 03000 111 999. The charities are here to listen and support you.
You can find out more about the Farming Help charities by visiting the website www.farminghelp.co.uk