What is Farmers' Mental Health?

Government research has shown evidence in the rise of poor mental health for farmers. With business success riding on their livelihood, it’s proven difficult for them to seek the right support for such issues.

Despite that, all farmers should receive the right help when it comes to tackling mental health issues. Without it, you could end up facing further sickness, losing valuable employees, and even business disruptions.

In this guide, we’ll look at what causes poor mental health in farmers, what legal support they have, and how to promote awareness when tackling these problems head on.

What causes poor mental health for farmers?

Animal diseases, unpredictable harvests, rural isolation – working in the farming industry presents all kinds of pressure. That’s why there are countless causes that lead to poor mental health in farmers. Some of the most common ones include:

Financial issues

Most farmers deal with fluctuating incomes year on year. This may derive from their own production; like having poor harvests or low crop numbers. Not only does it affect their personal livelihoods, but it also impacts their business growth for the future.

Farmers often face economic issues which can influence their production numbers. For example, meeting supermarket demands for certain vegetables due to societal trends. This type of pressure can lead to instability for farmers and their bottom-lines.

Loneliness and isolation

Many farmers live in isolated areas, miles away from neighbours and local towns. Whilst the peace and quiet might sound like heaven to some, loneliness can play a pivotal role on one's mental health.

Farmers will often work alone; and if needs be, they’ll only reach out to other farmers for support. Many of them distrust people beyond their own group. They find it hard to integrate into society and its ever-evolving norms.

Poor work-life balance 

Most farmers run their businesses themselves or with very little workforce. Those with family-based businesses struggle to separate work and home life. A poor work-life balance doesn’t just cause mental ill-health but physical ailment, too.

Farmers often start work early, finish late, and perform overtime. These work habits lead to all kinds of health issues. Poor diets can cause bad indigestion, malnutrition, and obesity. Farmers can even suffer from burnout, depression, and even suicidal tendencies.

Traumatic events

Farmers often face unpredictable and uncontrollable situations which can result in traumatic events. Vandalism and theft crimes are some of the most common situations. That’s because agricultural equipment and livestock have high-cost values.

Livestock may go through epidemics which can be traumatic for farmers to deal with. F or example, during the Bovine Tuberculosis outbreaks (‘mad cow disease’), farmers were forced to put down their own livestock in order to prevent the disease from spreading.

Lack of community support

Farmers believe that the public fail to understand the challenges connected in the farming world. A recent example of this is the rise of anti-meat campaigns. Farmers believe they need to justify their businesses to others, leaving them feeling ignored and undervalued.

For most farmers, it’s a matter of coexisting with anti-meat activists. Yet some faced retaliation and even violence. In the end, it all leads to huge impacts on physical and mental health issues for farmers.

What laws protect farmers’ mental health?

The Health and Safety Act 1974 (HWSA) outlines the rules on working in safe conditions. These legal rulings apply to both employers (farmers), as well as their staff.

Many farmers are self-employed, so they run their business alone. Because of this, they count as lone or vulnerable workers. Under HWSA, lone workers have a right to safe working conditions – free from risks to their health (physically and mentally).

Farmers who employ other people have a legal responsibility to ensure staff are protected from health issues related to their job. For example, working overtime, being underpaid, or suffering from work-related ill-health.

How to promote positive mental health wellbeing for farmers

It’s crucial to hold mental health as equally important to physical health. Nowhere is this more crucial than in the farming industry.

Having mental health awareness allows both farmers and staff to know their rights and work safely. That way, they can meet the demands of their job whilst protecting their own welfare. Let’s take a look at ways to promote positive mental health wellbeing for farmers:

Look into mental health training

The first step you should take is looking into mental health training. With the right knowledge and guidance, farmers will feel reassured when faced with work-related health issues. 

Employees who work in the farming industry should also be given access to mental health training. That way, everyone can acknowledge the health risks linked to their work and know how to deal with them safely.

Mental health training comes with all kinds of aids to use. For example, you can provide EAP support which provides external employment advice to staff. You can even outline financial support plans they can use during dry harvest seasons. 

Normalise talking about mental health

Stress, depression, anxiety, suicide – they’re all common issues found in the agricultural world. That’s why it’s important to normalise talking about mental health in the workplace.

Loneliness and isolation leaves farmers unaware of the support available for them. This derives from a lack of interaction with neighbours or society itself. But it can also stem from the negative stigma that surrounds talking about mental health. 

There are numerous charities that provide farmers with the right mental health care. They offer support and guidance, for both farmers and employees. With the best advice, you’ll soon be able to nip mental health issues in the bud.

Promote a healthy work-life balance

Working hours in the farming world can fluctuate – resulting in having various start and end times. Despite that, all employers should promote the importance of a healthy work-life balance. 

Farmers must outline set work hours to accomplish farm tasks per day. Any tasks that occur beyond these hours should be dealt with the following day, if possible. This helps promote a health divide between professional and personal life.

If you hire employees, ensure they work within legal working hours regulations. If they end up working overtime, make sure this is agreed to prior and are compensated properly. (I.e., being paid fairly and in reasonable time).

Address physical health issues

When someone is suffering with mental health issues, they often present physical symptoms, too. Farmers may suffer from illnesses like respiratory, digestive, and even cardiovascular illnesses.

Despite living in isolated areas, it’s important to stay on top of health problems. This includes visiting GPs and hospitals for checkups when needed. Exercise and diets are also imperative when it comes to living healthily.

As an employer, it’s important to acknowledge your employees’ rights when it comes to sickness. (This includes both physical and mental health issues). Ensure they’re receiving the right care, support, and recovery time needed to get better.

Get expert guidance on farmers and mental health with Peninsula

Working in agriculture can be so unpredictable that it leaves people dealing with all kinds of pressure. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the dangers of poor mental health in the farming industry.

Peninsula is here to provide expert guidance on farmers and mental health. We offer 24-hour H&S advice – ensuring your employees work in the safest and most secure manner. 

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our Health and Safety consultants today.