Mental Health

The Addington Fund has launched two new greetings cards to help fundraise for its work supporting rural communities.

With the rate of suicide reported to be alarmingly higher in farming compared to the national average, Jeremy Clarkson is on a mission to help raise awareness of poor mental health in farming caused by mounting financial and societal pressures.

Farming minister Mark Spencer drove a John Deere tractor into the Houses of Parliament recently as part of the Len’s Light Tractor Relay, which aims to raise awareness and break down the stigma around mental health in the farming sector.

At the Royal Cornwall Show last Thursday (8th June), RABI chief executive Alicia Chivers met with Defra environment secretary Thérèse Coffey to discuss the charity’s latest work in tackling mental health challenges in farming and the continued need for farmer wellbeing to remain on the political agenda.

Spiralling production costs, unfairness in the supply chain, and a rise in rural crime have been identified as some of the main factors contributing to poor mental health in farming in a recent survey conducted by the NFU.

Building on evidence gained via RABI’s recent Big Farming Survey, the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has put forward urgent recommendations in its inquiry into poor mental health in rural communities, a move welcomed by the farming charity.

Hereford farmers Sam and Emily Stables have been given an award for their efforts to break the stigma of mental health issues and loneliness in the farming community.

A new study funded by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI) has linked financial worries, long working hours and loneliness with “concerning” levels of anxiety among farming women, with younger generations being the most severely affected.

Graham Miles, rural and agricultural chaplain for Suffolk, told Farmers Guide he receives calls from farmers all over the UK who are struggling with loneliness, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Returning this year following the pandemic, the Lincolnshire Farming Conference welcomed hundreds of farmers from across the industry to discuss topics around soil health and mental well-being in farming.

Emma Ledbury, who lost half of her dairy herd to TB last year, was overwhelmed by support from Clarkson’s Farm fans and resolved to donate some of the funds to the mental health charity RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution).

With farming businesses under more pressure than ever, rural charities are reporting a rise in the number of farmers seeking support. But there is still a reluctance among many to ask for help. Farmers Guide caught up with RABI’s director of services Caron Whaley…