Urgent calls for greater mental health support for farmers
13th February 2023
As the sixth Mind Your Head Week begins, the parents of young Warwickshire farmer Leonard Eadon, who died by suicide last year, have joined a campaign to call for greater action to support mental health in farming.
Over the past few years, the UK farming industry has seen continued uncertainty around Brexit, the covid-19 pandemic, supply chain shortages, the war in Ukraine and avian flu. Meanwhile, the cost of fertiliser has trebled in price and red diesel has doubled, coupled with the cost of living, loss of BPS and greater environmental pressures.
The impact this is having on farmers’ businesses and mental health is real cause for concern, the Farm Safety Foundation has said today (13th February).
A recent study by the rural charity revealed that poor mental health among farmers and agricultural workers is of growing concern and has a direct impact on farm safety. In a sample of 450 farmers under 40, nearly all (94%) agreed that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry today.
This week marks the sixth annual Mind Your Head campaign, which brings together over 300 farming organisations and charities across the UK. It aims to break down the stigma attached to poor mental health in the farming sector.
According to the Office of National Statistics, 36 suicides were registered in England and Wales by those working in the farming and agricultural industry in 2021. Meanwhile 22 farm workers lost their lives due to fatal farm accidents in 2021/22.
“Direct link” between mental health and farm safety
The Farm Safety Foundation study revealed that 90% of young farmers agree that farm safety and mental health are directly linked.
The study revealed alarming statistics about those with lower mental wellbeing scores. Using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scores, those recording lower scores were less likely to take steps to stay safe on the farm, including wearing PPE and carrying out risk assessments.
They were also more likely to admit to taking risks, less likely to think about the consequences and less likely to take personal responsibility for their safety.
Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation said: “Our research shows that levels of mental health in farming are deteriorating and it is being propelled by – in addition to many other things – the current political climate, stress caused by covid and its aftermath, spiralling costs and continuing barriers to adequate care for many people living and working in the rural community.”
Farmers taking part in the survey recognised that there are barriers to ‘opening up’ about their mental health, but having ‘no one to talk to’ was not seen as a significant barrier.
However, calls to rural support helplines have increased or become more complex over the past three years, she added.
For example:
- In Wales, Tir Dewi have noted 5-8 times the volume of calls to their helpline
- The DPJ Foundation have made 47% more counselling referrals
- In Northern Ireland, Rural Support have reported a 40% increase in calls to the support line
- While call volumes to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and RSABI in Scotland have been consistent, the referrals and interactions have become more complex and require more of a multi-agency approach.
Stephanie added: “Urgent action is needed to support the ongoing mental health of our farmers. We need to take the pressure off these rural support groups and charities who are increasingly relied upon to provide support for those in crisis situations.”
Len Eadon’s story
Recognising the signs and symptoms of someone struggling with their mental health and at crisis point can be difficult, especially when they are the person that everyone else depends on for support.
Andy and Lynda Eadon have shared the heart-breaking story of losing their only child to suicide, to encourage young people in the industry to reach out and support each other.
At 22 years old, Leonard (Len) Eadon was a popular young farmer, completing his studies at Harper Adams University with his whole life ahead of him, but in January 2022 he took his own life.
One year on, his parents Andy and Lynda have been working with Stephanie and the team at the Farm Safety Foundation for the past year to raise awareness among the next generation of farmers of recognising the signs and symptoms of someone struggling and gain the confidence to start what could be a difficult conversation. They are calling for more support for those making their journey into the industry and have created the Five-a-Day Challenge in Len’s memory.
Lynda says: “When Leonard died, it became a very strong feeling that we had to do something to bring people in the farming community together to talk. This is why Andy devised Five-a-Day Challenge – five very simple things you can do every day to look after your mental health.”
Len’s Five-a-Day Challenge:
- Be honest with yourself and those around you
- Talk openly about daily challenges and LISTEN
- Care for yourself as well as you care for others
- Contact that person you’ve been saying you should
- Plan for the unexpected – make the right choices.
Over 18,000 of bright red challenge cards have been printed and distributed to markets, local young farmers clubs and through the NFU Student Farmer magazine. Andy and Lynda also commissioned 2,000 copies of the Farm Safety Foundation’s Little Book of Minding Your Head to be printed and distributed to YFCs to support the new mental health curve module that they have developed.
Lynda continues: “Our hope is that, because Leonard was so well known and it shocked so many people, we want people to keep talking about it and keep remembering him and realise that they need to be aware of what they’re feeling and reach out if they need it. There is no shame. There is no stigma. But there is support.”
For more information on the Mind Your Head campaign visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow it on social media – @yellowwelliesUK on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MindYourHead
