#Fit2Farm – Mental Health Week

This week’s #Fit2Farm focus is mental health and wellbeing. Many of us are not very good at discussing our own mental health. The stoic “I’m fine” attitude we sometimes default to, often conceals the truth that approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year. Those of us working and living in rural farming communities face certain unique difficulties that can combine to negatively influence our wellbeing: Isolation, the 24/7 nature of the farming life, financial pressure and even the uncertainty of the weather all take their toll. In fact Farm Safety Foundation statistics state that four fifths of farmers under 40 think mental health is the biggest problem facing the sector.

As with our physical health, understanding how to take care of ourselves and recognising when we need support are of huge importance. After all, farming is difficult even at the best of time, so your wellbeing needs to be resilient in order to thrive! By talking about mental health, we help remove any stigma and that’s why we hope you’ll join this week’s discussion and explore the resources that we share.

Let’s be compassionate, be open, be #Fit2Farm.

If you require support:

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi): 0808 281 9490
The Farming Community Network (FCN): 03000 111 999
Samaritans: 116 123
Every Mind Matters website
Shout: Text Shout to 85258

18th November 2019