Simon Fell MP for Barrow and Furness raises awareness about farmers’ mental health

This week Simon Fell MP attended an event in the House of Commons to promote the Farm Safety Foundation’s Mind Your Head campaign, which runs from 12th to 16th February. The campaign aims to highlight the significant mental health risks associated with working in agriculture. 

Farmers work long hours, often in isolation. They can be under significant financial pressure, often needing to take on considerable debt to purchase the land and equipment they require. In most cases, a farmer’s place of business is also his or her home, meaning there is no easy way to get away from the workload. In addition, farmers are constantly vulnerable to events and circumstances that can impact their bottom line, from weather and natural disasters to international trade disputes.

A recent study by leading rural charity the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) has revealed that poor mental health among farmers and agricultural workers is of growing concern. In a sample of 450 farmers under the age of 40, respondents almost universally (95%) agreed that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry today. 

This year’s Mind Your Head campaign will once again cast a spotlight on farmers’ and agricultural workers’ mental health. The Farm Safety Foundation is encouraged by the number of farm businesses and organisations learning more about how to help their workers and suppliers and engaging with rural support groups and charities to help them deliver training. Mind Your Head 2024 will showcase what the industry is doing to address the issue, what some inspirational individuals are doing to bring awareness and, importantly, what farmers can do for themselves.

Farming has the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK and stress is often a key factor in many of the incidents, injuries and illnesses which take place on British farms. The Farm Safety Foundation wants to create a culture in farming that promotes positive mental health, prevents people from experiencing mental ill health and helps them better manage mental health problems.

After attending the Mind Your Head event, Mr. Fell commented:

“Local farmers in Furness work tirelessly to supply the UK with good quality food and to protect and defend our countryside and rural communities. In turn we need to ensure we are doing the very best to take care of our farmers and their mental health. The Farm Safety Foundation’s Mind Your Head campaign is an important step to getting businesses and organisations the help they need to support their farmers and workers. I am very glad to give it my full support.”

Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, commented:

“We were delighted to have been invited by Sarah Dyke in advance of our seventh annual Mind Your Head campaign to meet with MPs and caseworkers and share a valuable insight into why 95% of young farmers in the UK agree that poor mental health is the biggest hidden danger facing the industry. We are happy to support those in power understand the needs of their constituents and help shape a plan with a focus on tackling the reasons why so many in farming communities are struggling with their mental health, as well as highlighting the importance of government investment in and improvement of education and services.”

Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome and organiser of the parliamentary event, commented:

“As the daughter and sister of farmers, this is an issue that’s dear to my heart. My dad was a brilliant musician and when life on the farm got too much for him, he’d retreat to the piano. Music was his way of dealing with stress. My brother went through a very difficult time when he was having to handle challenges caused by the Tories’ Brexit deal. His dairyman had left and he was trying to do everything himself. Looking back, I can see what a huge mental and physical toll this was taking on him. 

“So I understand how important it is for farmers and farm workers to look after their mental health and to be open to having conversations about how they’re feeling. Today’s event is a chance for me to highlight the vital work that the Farm Safety Foundation does and to raise awareness among MPs, peers and the wider community.”

Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, commented:

“I’m incredibly proud to be supporting my friend and colleague Sarah Dyke and the Farm Safety Foundation with their event in Parliament to raise awareness for farmers’ mental health.

“Many farmers live and work on their own. They often live in isolated parts of the country, working long, anti-social hours, with very little contact with other people.

“It is critically important that farmers who are struggling do not suffer in silence. Instead they need to know that support is out there and how they access it. That’s why campaigns like this are so important.”

Stuart Roberts, former National Farmers’ Union Deputy President and policy adviser to the Liberal Democrats, commented: 

“Mental health is one of the biggest issues in farming especially at a time of such challenge for the industry. Levels of anxiety due to uncertainty and change and the isolation that so many in the farming community find themselves in mean this issue needs much greater attention from us all. I am delighted that Sarah has picked up this topic with such enthusiasm and the work of the Farm Safety Foundation is to be applauded.”