World Mental Health Day 2019: Brexit tops list of worries for rural helpline calls

"A working farmer can take anything from one hour of support to 30 hours per case. They can, on occasion, require immediate financial support for essential living costs.

"Or they may benefit from counselling, especially if they are suffering from ill health or have had an accident.”

Anxiety

The Farming Community Network (FCN) has also seen a spike in calls since the Brexit referendum.

FCN chief executive Charles Smith said: "Our helpline is regularly receiving calls from farmers and farming families, all of whom have varying opinions about Brexit, but are nonetheless concerned about the uncertainty and the potential impact of Brexit on their farm business.

“The only thing we know for certain is that farming in the UK is going to change when Britain leaves the EU – and historically in farming, whenever there is change, there is also anxiety.

“Our main focus is the human impact of Brexit and the welfare of farmers and rural communities.

“We are in regular dialogue with industry leaders and government agencies, urging them to think, very carefully, about the potential human implications of their decisions.

“We are also working closely with the farmers themselves to ensure that they are well-informed and encouraging them to be resilient and embrace the changes that lie ahead.”