Monday 10 February 2020

Mind Your Head

Mental Health affects people from all walks of life, with one in four adults and one in ten children experiencing mental illness.

Today the Farm Safety Foundation's third annual Mind Your Head campaign launches, aiming to raise awareness and encourage communication about mental health and wellbeing of farmers and those in the agricultural industry. Mental health issues are of increasing concern in the farming community, with 84% of farmers under 40 saying that they believe that mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today. Additionally, 85% of young farmers believe there is a definite link between farm safety and mental health. It is estimated that more than 20% of farmers will suffer from depression during their working life; it has been found that whilst UK farmers are renowned for the attention they give to their livestock, crops ad machinery, it appears that they do not have such a good track record when it comes to taking care of their own wellbeing. That's why the Mind Your Head campaign is so important (especially in a rural area like the Hexham constituency) to raise awareness of the pressures within the agricultural industry and to encourage farmers and farming families not to neglect themselves.

The Farm Safety Foundation's Mind Your Head campaign takes place from 10th-14th February to continue the conversation about mental health amongst the farming community.

https://www.yellowwellies.org