Mental health in agriculture is the elephant in the room. No one really want to talk about loneliness, anxiety or suicide. But sadly it's there and many are increasingly worried that it is getting worse.

A survey in August from the Office for National Statistics found that almost one in five adults were likely to be experiencing some form of depression, compared with one in ten before the pandemic.

Marking the Farm Safety Foundation’s 4th annual Mind Your Head week, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has asked Welsh Government to evaluate the effectiveness of signposting efforts towards the myriad of mental health support networks available.

Underlining the need for a commitment, Mrs. Finch-Saunders said: “The striking impact of the pandemic on our local farming community has once again shone a light on the precarious position that many farmers find themselves in, as isolation and long-term financial pressures have been compounded by sudden and uncontrollable external factors.

“Importantly, our rural communities have recognised the corrosive impact of poor mental health. They have responded in kind, working collaboratively to instigate fantastic schemes of support, such as the Tir Dewi helpline and the Farm Safety Foundation’s annual Mind Your Head awareness week.

“With 89% of young farmers believing that talking about mental health in farming will remove any stigma attached to it, it is now incredibly vital that all Welsh Government funded rural services efficiently signpost towards the assistance available. In this case, knowledge certainly is power.

“More must be done to support our farm hands and agricultural workers. This is why I have called on the Minister to undertake an urgent review of the effectiveness of current signposting methods, so that those with the power to assist can quickly change tact if necessary.”

For more about the Farm Safety Foundation and the Mind Your Head awareness campaign, please visit https://www.yellowwellies.org/mental-health-the-next-pandemic-tackling-the-biggest-hidden-problem-facing-farmers-today/