Cumbrian farmers mental health hit by isolation and rising costs
new figures show toll of events like the war in Ukraine.
Penrith's MP Dr Neil Hudson, has been raising issues brought to him by farming charities, as new challenges faced by rural communities are highlighted in a new survey from the National Farmers Union (NFU).
The NFU convened rural mental health charities at an event in Parliament, bringing together a wide group of stakeholders and experts to discuss rural mental health, the ways that it can be improved, and the support needed to tackle the root causes of the challenges faced by farmers. Dr Hudson met with NFU Minette Batters as well as rural mental health leaders from charities such as the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and YANA.
New survey data reveal that over 68 per cent of farmers in Britain have had their mental health negatively impacted by spiralling input costs, such as fuel, animal feed and fertiliser, which have been at record levels due to factors such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Lisa Cardy is cumbria's regional support officer for the Farming Community Network (FCN), she's also been hearing first hand what farmers in the county are facing on a daily basis.
She said: "The isolation is one of the top worries. You are lone working for the most part and can be on tractors for 12 hours a day on your own. Another issue is you work where you live.
"You never get a break. It's constant. If you are lambing you are lambing throughout the night and then you just go in and start your whole day again. A lot of farmers will not get the opportunity to go out again and socialise.
"There's also uncertainty, production costs go through the roof, government policy seems to change constantly so it's very hard to keep on top of what is going on."
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said: "Representing England's largest rural constituency, I fully understand the need to better protect the mental health of everyone living and working in our communities.
"The global challenges over the past few years have shown us just how important it is to have a strong farming sector with resilient and supported farmers driving forward the British food chain.
"New NFU data confirm work I've undertaken on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee that shows while farming is a fantastic industry to work in, pressures can be incredibly challenging and support across the board is critical."
The FCN run a confidential help line that can be accessed from anybody within the agricultural community who needs help with issues such as stress, depression, isolation, long-term illness and substance abuse.
For more information visit FCN's website here.