Support for farmers in Cornwall who are struggling with their mental health
The Farming Health Hub says the pandemic has had a significant impact
Support is being offered to farmers struggling with their mental health in Cornwall.
With research showing an increasing number of people involved in farming are struggling with their mental health, Cornwall’s Farming Health Hub has developed a free online course to help people in the industry manage stress and build their mental resilience.
The new Mental Health in Farming course will be piloted via Zoom in six one hour sessions from Monday 10th May to Saturday 15th May.
“We know that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the farming community who have had to cope with the effects of repeated lockdowns on the on the sale and distribution of local produce, including milk, and the availability of farm workers to pick seasonal crops.
“During these unprecedented times we are all having to make adjustments in our daily lives and we recognise that this will impact on individuals in different ways. It is vitally important to look after your mental health and we hope that this new course will provide vital support for people in farming and those living and working in rural communities who are struggling to cope."
Jon James, Chief Executive of the Farming Health Hub
About the course
The free course, which will be delivered between 2pm and 3pm on each of the six days, has been produced in partnership with a range of professionals and will cover five topics:
• What is mental health and why does it matter for farming?
• Challenges & benefits of farming for mental health
• Taking control & managing stress
• How to build mental resilience into a farm business
• Where to find support for yourself & others
Originally set up in March 2019 in partnership with organisations from the private, public and voluntary sectors, the Farming Health Hub offers a single source of business, physical and mental health support for farmers and their families.
Members include the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution; the Prince’s Countryside Fund; the National Farmers Union; Cornwall Young Farmers; Exeter University; Cornwall’s Public Health team, NHS Kernow and GP’s; Cornwall Development Company; auctioneers, banks and insurance companies and local churches.
Places on the free course are available by to book by emailing nikki@farminghealth.co.uk . Spaces are limited so interested people are asked to book in advance.