Today’s Farm Safety Week focus – Mental health

Health and safety on farms takes many different forms, one which is too often ignored is mental health and wellbeing. Agriculture is an industry which has a difficult relationship with good mental health and the willingness to seek help for it. That is why this year’s Farm Safety Week includes a day highlighting the importance of good mental health and wellbeing, and who you can speak to if you need help.

In the UK, one farmer commits suicide every week. This is a stark and damning figure and if you considered adding it to the figures for ‘fatal injuries on farms’ you would see that number more than double.

The cases of farmers suffering from mental health issues do not have to end tragically, there are places to go to and people to speak to.

In a confidential case study, provided by agricultural charity RSABI, ‘Adam’ was suffering from stress when his employer urged him to contact RSABI. Adam is in his forties and lives with his wife and young daughter and has been employed in agriculture his entire working life.

After contacting RSABI, Adam was visited by a case officer who listened to the issues and both her and Adam looked at the family’s finances and discussed the options that may be available for him to pursue.  

“RSABI pointed me in the right direction,” said Adam “The help and support I have received from RSABI has made such a big difference to me and my family.  Knowing there is someone there to talk to has helped my stress levels too.”

What would Adam say to others struggling to make ends meet? “Talk to RSABI, don’t ignore it. RSABI can help.”

Mags Granger, RSABI Welfare Manager, said: “We listen, that’s very first thing we do. If someone comes to us directly, we take the opportunity to chat, we can offer services if they need counselling or they just want one of our case officers to go around and visit. We talk about any pressures and look at any practical help we can give towards to alleviating some of these worries.

“Apparently, there is quite a large correlation between people that are suffering from a low mood and accidents occurring. You also might not be as aware of the safety aspects as your mind is being taken up by other stuff. And generally, sometimes just not getting the job done at all itself can lead to farm safety injuries. Our helpline is open to anyone working within the industry who needs help. It can be reached on 0300 111 4166.”

Notes to Editors

• For an interview with Farm Safety Foundation or RSABI, or for photographs contact media@nfus.org.uk.
• Farm Safety Week takes place from 16 to 20 July 2018 and is supported by the Farm Safety Foundation, Farm Safety Partnerships, the Health & Safety Executive, Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and Health & Safety Authority, Ireland. For more information on Farm Safety Week visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow @yellowwelliesUK on Twitter/Facebook using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek
• Visit www.hse.org.uk for the full breakdown of agricultural fatality statistics.
• Farm Safety Week started in 2013 and struck a chord with the farming community. It has grown to include England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland; five countries with a single purpose; to reduce deaths and serious injuries in agriculture.  Farm Safety Partnership (FSP) Scotland brings together some of the key stakeholders with an interest in farm safety in Scotland. The Partnership comprises The Scottish Government, NFU Mutual, NFU Scotland and Health & Safety Executive.

Contact Douglas Ross on 0131 472 4059