Loneliness is a key risk factor for mental health issues in farmers with 94 per cent of respondents to a Farmers Guardian online poll agreeing that it posed a risk to mental wellbeing.
“The Covid 19 pandemic and the cancellation of events has impacted farmers’ ability to meet one another and socialise in ways they normally would,” says Jude McCann, chief executive officer of the Farming Community Network (FCN).
But of course spending a lot of time alone is not a new situation for many farmers, he continues:
“In many situations farming is a form of lone working and prolonged periods of isolation and long hours can create heightened feelings of loneliness.
“It is important that farmers find ways of maintaining social connections with others.”
“It is important that farmers find ways of maintaining social connections with others.”
Melinda Raker is CEO of You Are Not Alone (YANA) which provides farmers in Norfolk, Suffolk and Worcester with counselling.
“Isolation is a big part of why farmers can suffer from mental health issues but there is a difference between isolation and loneliness. It is possible to be isolated but not lonely. It is about connection.”
Finding a way to be connected to others either in person or via virtual means is essential. This could be through keeping in touch with neighbouring farmers or a farming group or via a gym or sports club, she adds. “Anything that gives you a sense of belonging to something else.”
YANA counsellor Sally Storr believes technology had brought positives and negatives.
“Progress in technology means that the farming community see people even less than they used to so it is particularly important to make up for that with more social situations.”
Social media can play a part in enabling connection as long as involvement is in a structured way that is helpful. “It can go the other way and be judgemental and negative. It is important to get the balance right and not rely solely on it.”
Samaritans
Farming Community Network
Directory of National Rural Support Groups
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
RSABI
Visit the series home page for more information