Former Lib Dem leader joins our campaign highlighting Farmers' mental health.
The #LightenTheLoad campaign on farmers' mental health could soon be heading to Parliament.
Our Lighten The Load campaign could soon be heading to Parliament as MP and former Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron gives his backing.
The issue of mental health is a big one in the rural workforce, more than one agricultural workers dies by suicide each week - according to figures by the Office for National Statistics.
The latest statistics show 75 people working in the industry took their own life in 2019 in England.
Our Cumbria reporter Alice Young has been leading the investigation on our sister station CFM, raising awareness of the mental health challenges those in the farming community can face, and has got the ex Lib Dem leader Tim Farron on board:
Mr Farron said:
"It's a critical issue at any time, that we address mental health needs in the farming industry.
"But at this moment, through Covid, you have seen significant challenges to people's mental health.
"Just berating the fact this is the case isn't enough if it doesn't prompt you to do something about it.
"That's why this campaign is vital."
Farming is one of the worst sectors for suicide
We are encouraging farmers to speak out about their mental health, and not suffer in silence, after figures show more than one agricultural workers dies by suicide each week (Office for National Statistics).
Pressures including Brexit, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and the loneliness associated with farming are thought to be contributing to the high suicide rates within the industry.
Emma Picton-Jones has been sharing her story with us to encourage farmers to reach out for mental health support, after her husband Daniel took his own life in 2016.
"It doesn't happen to people like me.
"It was always something you saw on the TV or read about in magazines.
"It doesn't happen to a 27 year-old with two small children in rural Wales in a farming community.
"All of a sudden my children were without a Dad and it turned from shock into complete sadness and horror that it was the only way he could deal with what was going on in his life."
Mental Health is the 'biggest hidden danger' to the farming industry
Research by the Farm Safety Foundation has found 84% of farmers under the age of 40 believe mental health is the biggest hidden danger facing the industry.
Young farmers have been opening up to us about the "duty" to follow in their family's footsteps and take on a farm which has been in the family for generations.
Alice Grimes, a 23 year-old farmer living on the Welsh border, said:
"I think there is a big pressure on young farmers where they feel like they've got a duty to step up and take over the farm.
"When you've got the next generation coming through, they are left with a big job to invest in the farm, make it more sustainable, and it's a lot of pressure on young shoulders.
Alice has told us the mental health pressures associated of working in the farming industry are already a challenge for young farmers to cope with.
She said there is an additional strain when young people feel they have a responsibility to take on a farm which has been in a family for generations.
Alice added:
"And then you've got a lot of young people coming through who want to enter the industry who haven't been born into a farming family, and they face a lot of barriers there.
"You've got high land prices, high rents and a lot of capital investment to set up a business.
"It's a real challenge."
As part of our investigation, we have been looking into how we can Lighten The Load for our local farmers.
Mental health experts have told us the nature of the job can mean farmers go long periods of time without having a conversation with anyone, and that can add to mental health challenges.
Counsellor Martyn Blacklock said:
"If you see farmers and you're able to stop and have a chat, even if it's just about the weather, take that time to engage with them.
"You'd be amazed at what a difference just seeing another person offering kindness and a big smile can have!"
If this issue affects you or someone you know you can find more about some of the services offering support here.