"Farmers are humans too" record number of famers experiencing mental health issues
Over 90% of farmers say poor mental health is one of the biggest problems facing the industry
94% of UK farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as one of the biggest hidden problems facing farmers today, a recent study by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) reveals.
The study also found that mental wellbeing levels in the industry have been steadily deteriorating over the past three years.
Continued uncertainty surrounding Brexit, a global pandemic, supply chain shortages, the war in Ukraine and issues with the egg and poultry sector have been impacting the mental health of those living and working in farming.
And this month charity Yellow Wellies have launched their sixth annual "Mind Your Head" campaign.
This will help break down the stigma attached to poor mental health in the farming sector and recognise the current pressures on farmers and how it impacts on their mental health and their ability to farm safely.
In an industry that continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK, making sure farmers are looking after their physical and mental wellbeing has never been more important.
22 farm workers lost their lives in fatal farm incidents in 2021/2022 (HSE) however there were 36 suicides registered in England and Wales by those working in the farming and agricultural industry in 2021 according to the Office of National Statistics.
Shropshire farmer Daniel Boomer, who studies at Harper Adams University, lost his friend to suicide last year and tells us how this campaign is vital in saving lives: "We are all farmers and we are all humans and we can help each other.
"Everyone thinks farmers are tough as nails and that men don't cry. But we do, and we want people to open up because we can't keep bottling things up.
"We want farmers to get involved in this campaign, as one poor mental health is too many. We all need to be positive because there is too much negativity in the agriculture industry."