Mental health services in rural areas need urgent attention to make sure the needs of farmers are properly met, based on researchers.

Farmers facing worsening mental health problems are experiencing what researchers call a strained ‘landscape of support’ in rural areas.

An ESRC-funded study published today in Sociologia Ruralis indicates how the Covid-19 pandemic led to increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal feelings among the many UK’s farming population. It raises concerns around what the research team calls ‘landscapes of support’, with civil society organizations fighting to support farmers alongside primary mental healthcare services that are sometimes inaccessible and inadequately suited to rural communities.

The research team conducted two surveys answered by greater than 200 farmers and 93 support providers across the UK, and as well as, carried out in-depth interviews with 22 supporters of mental health in farming across Great Britain.

Farmers are essential employees, but some have been shown to suffer with poor mental health consequently of being relatively isolated physically, socially, and culturally. On the time the pandemic hit the UK, farmers were already facing substantial uncertainty around transitions away from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.

By interviewing and surveying supporters of farming mental health, including chaplains, charities, auction mart staff and first healthcare, the research found that mental health services are strained in rural communities and supply uneven coverage across the country. Some healthcare settings may be inaccessible and lack an understanding of farming, whilst informal spaces of social support are being eroded on account of the lack of rural community. Mental health charities are combating funding and with the trauma of helping farmers through difficult times.

Academics at the moment are calling on policymakers to take urgent motion to assist rural-proof primary mental healthcare services and higher support civil society organizations which widen the protection net for farmers.

The research project was led by Cranfield University’s David Rose, Professor of Sustainable Agricultural Systems.

He said: “The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated issues with farmers’ mental health that we already knew existed. For instance, primary mental healthcare provision in parts of the UK is predicated on urban delivery models that don’t suit rural communities. This leaves civil society organizations fighting to fill the support gap, but these organizations face their very own struggles.

“This issue needs urgent attention to make sure farmers get the support they need and help civil society organizations to flourish. We would like devolved governments to urgently address this and ensure support is in place for future shocks.”

Recognition that mental health issues exist in rural communities within the UK is, by itself, not enough. Our research demonstrates that those that have been working hard on an expert level to support our farmers over the previous couple of years face multiple challenges. Attention subsequently must be focussed on ensuring that these bodies are supported in being each adaptable and sustainable over the long-term, for the good thing about the communities whom they serve.”

Dr Caroline Nye, Research Fellow, University of Exeter

Hannah Rees, a dairy farmer from Pembrokeshire in Wales, aged 26, said: “It’s great that more is being done to support those in agriculture, but I do still feel there may be a protracted solution to go.

“It is important to cut back the stigma attached to mental health. Also, I believe we’d like to stop taking a blanket approach that counseling is the one solution to help people. Discussion groups and zoom meetings are other implausible ways of providing support and countering loneliness.

“I think we should always see the introduction of mental health first aid training for those working in agriculture.”

Stephanie Berkeley, of the Farm Safety Foundation, said: “I welcome the findings of this study and agree that urgent motion is required to support the continued mental health of our farmers. They work long hours daily, through global pandemics and unsure times, to place food on our plates – but this dedication comes at a price.

“We’d like immediate motion at government level to enhance the first mental healthcare provision for those living and dealing in rural communities and we’d like to take the pressure off the agricultural support groups and charities who’ve been relied on to supply support for those in crisis situations.”

Co-authors on the paper were: Dr Faye Shortland (formerly University of Reading), Dr Caroline Nye (Exeter), Professor Matt Lobley (Exeter), Dr Ruth Little (formerly University of Sheffield), Dr Jilly Hall (SPSN), Dr Paul Hurley (formerly University of Reading), and Professor David Rose (Cranfield University, formerly University of Reading).

The research was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as a part of UKRI’s rapid response to COVID-19.

As a Kenyan-born, black man in British agriculture, my mental health is in good nick. Despite the standard perception of prejudice from under-exposed people within the countryside, my experience within the industry has been largely positive. That said, we’re still a good distance off from any significant change in peoples’ mentality to personnel diversity within the industry.”

Flavian Obiero, Farmer from East Sussex

Eveey Hunter, an arable farmer from Hertfordshire, said: “As wonderful as our industry is, it may well be a really lonely and isolating place for some. There are lots of stressful aspects which determine success or failure in businesses, most of that are out of our control – global markets, huge inflation of input costs and in fact the weather. There’s also unfortunately a stigma attached to talking about feelings, mainly with men, which is something that should be addressed.”

Kate Miles, from the DPJ Foundation, a mental health charity that supports the agricultural community in Wales, said: “Over the past two years, now we have seen a rise in demand for our service. We all know that farmers value speaking with someone who understands the pressure that they face, and this understanding is important in mental health services. We see pockets of excellent work going down across the country, including in rural areas. Nevertheless, this must be consistent irrespective of where you’re geographically.”

Trudy Herniman, an advisor for Cornish Mutual, which offers insurance to farms, businesses and folks living and dealing in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, said: “The problems raised for farmers and people working in agriculture following the Covid-19 pandemic are still very much there and now much more exacerbated.

“Coming out of the pandemic we had the war between Ukraine and Russia, everyone feeling the effect on fuel and input cost rises. But farmers then experienced volatility within the weather as storms damaged buildings and electricity supplies.

“Farmers find it hard to ask for help and once they are distressed find it difficult to beat the barriers by not having the ability to get a health care provider’s appointment. Using my mental health first aid training, myself, and others from Farmerados (a welfare charity) go to markets and shows and produce tea and cake and a secure space to speak. We provide support or a listening ear. It’s crucial in helping to cut back the anxiety and stress experienced by farmers and people within the farming community.”

Source:

Journal reference:

Shortland, F., et al. (2022) Landscapes of support for farming mental health: Adaptability within the face of crisis. Sociologia Ruralis. doi.org/10.1111/soru.12414.