As mental health becomes an increasingly crucial issue in rural communities, assistant news editor and Northern Farmer columnist Hannah Chapman says it’s good to talk

RECENT evidence submitted to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee told MPs how farmers are being driven to suicide by the ongoing agricultural downtown.

The committee’s inquiry into farmgate prices also heard how the slump is contributing to stress-related illnesses and relationship breakdowns.

The bleak assessment makes uncomfortable reading, and it is tempting to avoid discussing mental health matters, writing them off as “too depressing”.

Change the subject, turn the page, skip past the TV news.

But avoiding the topic won’t make it go away.

It’s long been a matter of record that the farming industry is one of highest-risk professions for suicide.

Some estimates suggest that one farmer a week takes his or her life.

A frightening statistic. And behind the figures lies a heartbreaking story being repeated in rural communities up and down the land.

Families devastated by the loss of a loved one, friends traumatised, neighbours left wondering if they could have done more to help.

The underlying reasons are different for every person, but it is easy to see in these difficult times how financial worries can creep up, the demands of ever-increasing paperwork become overwhelming, and before you know it, it seems like you can barely keep your head above water.

Especially at this time of year, with long, dark winter nights giving plenty of time for worry, and the joy of spring seeming light years away.

By nature us farming types are people of few words. Ask if we’re okay and the usual reply is something along the lines of “better than the weather” or a simple “aye”.

But talking can save lives.

The old adage of a problem shared is a problem halved may not always be true, but talking about how you are feeling, whether to a family member, a friend, a neighbour or even a company rep you’ve known for years could be the first step to getting back on an even keel.

It’s not “soft” or “weak” to admit you are struggling, and you might be surprised by the response.

And likewise, you don’t need to be a touchy-feely sort to go out of your way to check on someone you might be worried about, or who hasn’t quite been themselves.

One of the best pieces of advice I heard lately was to turn the conversation around and imagine if someone came to you and said they were having difficulties.

Would you tell them to “pull themselves together” and leave them to it?

Doubtful. You’d listen over a cuppa or a pint, discuss the way forward, offer to help, and maybe even suggest avenues where more professional help – whether financial or medical - might be available, if necessary.

And chances are, they would do the same for you if the wellie was on the other foot.

If talking to someone you know seems too hard, there are many organisations offering support and advice specifically tailored for farmers.

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is run by volunteers who are all farmers or have links with the farming industry. It offers confidential help with business, family, medical and farm issues.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) can offer financial support, or fund relief staff, and if it is not able to help itself, can point you in the direction of an organisation which can.

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs is also running a project called Rural+ which aims to reduce rural isolation and mental health issues among young people in the countryside.

Having that first conversation is the biggest step.

It can make a huge difference, and once specific problems have been identified, they can be confronted head-on, whether this means a trip to the GP, help to sort tangled paperwork or getting short-term financial support while the overarching issues are addressed.

As someone famously said recently “we are all in this together”. Well, in agriculture, we really are.

We need to stick together, help each other out where we can, and offer a listening ear, or a shoulder to cry on if needs be.

You never know, it might just save a life.

Farming Community Network: 03000 111 999 (7am to 11pm)
RABI: 0808 281 9490 (office hours)
The Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)