A staggering 91% of farmers have agreed that poor mental health is the ‘biggest hidden problem’ facing the industry today.
Recent research by the rural charity, Yellow Wellies, revealed that poor mental health among farmers and agricultural workers is deteriorating.
Yellow Wellies is running it’s ‘Mind Your Head’ campaign this week, aiming to raise awareness of poor mental health in agriculture.
The reality of a farmer’s life is that there are multiple reasons identified as contributing to poor mental health in the industry.
Biggest Hidden Problem
On average a full-time worker in the UK works 36 hours per week, however UK farmers work an average of 60 hours a week with an alarming 44% of those aged between 41 and 60 years working more than 81 hours a week.
Pressures on farming include traditional farm stressors, contextual stressors and barriers to support, coupled with the impact of measures announced in the Autumn budget.
These are leading to increased levels of stress and uncertainty in the farming community.
Mental Health in Farming
The Manx National Farmers Union has launched its own mental health and wellbeing support group, Greener Grass.
The support group is all about farmers understanding farmers, and raising awareness that ‘it’s okay to not be okay‘.
Recently six members of the Manx National Farmers Union took part in a Mental Health First Aid course with Isle Listen.
On the back of this, the Greener Grass Campaign was launched this week with the hopes of encouraging those who may be struggling to reach out.
One of the mental health first aiders, Sam Morrey explained that the isolating conditions of farming can often lead to farmers being left with their own thoughts at times of stress.
Sam explained the struggles that are facing farmers, why they may have not reached out in the past and why the group is fundamental in helping farmers:
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