Health and Wellbeing

The Health and Wellbeing Research Report

UK agriculture is a vital industry with real potential — and an urgent need for a more holistic approach to support, if the people working in it are to thrive.

The resource file

Executive summary

What the research found

Concerns include major challenges around mental health, long working hours and rural isolation — as well as unpredictable weather, uncertain global markets and volatile commodity prices. Some farm businesses are well placed to deal with change; others are not.

Two thirds of younger farmers report being in good physical health, but are most likely to say their mental health is only about average. There are social and cultural factors at work as well, affecting health and wellbeing behaviours in farmers.

Stakeholders and rural support organisations suggest there may be under-reporting of suicide in farming occupations. Statistics on suicide by occupation only include those up to the age of 65, so they exclude farmers who go on working beyond traditional retirement age.

Concerns include major challenges around mental health, long working hours and rural isolation.

The pressures

Why farmers are reluctant to ask

Academics, organisations and rural charities have identified a series of economic and business factors affecting the sector: declining farm gate prices, changing weather patterns, animal diseases, and the burden created by the sheer number of regulatory bodies.

Pressure to keep the farm in the family adds stress to continue whatever the cost. Some farmers carry on while making a loss; others diversify to generate income on or off the farm.

Yet rural isolation and the close-knit nature of many farming communities mean people are sometimes reluctant to seek help — a situation made worse by a reduction in public services, so that help is sometimes not available at all.

Rural support groups set up specifically to help farmers are being called on more than ever. But they have finite resources, and some struggle to raise the funds or recruit the staff to meet the demand. That leaves them unable to plan for the longer term, and restricted in the assistance they can give — despite being trusted as a valuable source of help by the communities they serve.

Recommendations

What the report asks for

Supporting the supporters

  • Enhance the help given to staff, volunteers and trustees at support groups, so they do not burn out as demand grows
  • Collect data and evidence to demonstrate the difference support groups make to farming and rural communities

Working together

  • Improve networking between support groups and other service providers, so they can learn from each other and share resources
  • Promote the work of rural support networks more effectively with government, statutory funders and major charities
  • Establish a nationwide programme taking a holistic approach to wellbeing among farming families and rural communities

The record

Reports and presentations

Papers from the forum’s meetings, most recent first. Each is a PDF.

Also in this section

The rest of the forum’s work

Where to get help The resource file A national directory of the organisations offering support. Find help Where it started The 2017 forum The first national forum of its kind, held at Farmers & Fletchers’ Hall. Read on The forum Health and wellbeing What the Company does about wellbeing in farming, and why. Read on

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