{"id":11056,"date":"2023-10-10T12:02:09","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T12:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www-dev.promar-international.com\/?p=11056"},"modified":"2023-10-10T12:02:09","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T12:02:09","slug":"supporting-mental-health-in-the-farming-world-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www-dev.promar-international.com\/it\/supporting-mental-health-in-the-farming-world-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting good mental health in the farming world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To mark World Mental Health Day, 10th<\/sup> October 2023, we thought we\u2019d shine a light on three important farming charities doing great work in the UK. This comes at a time when our industry is under constant pressure \u2013 navigating choppy, unpredictable business waters while often the ship of state appears rudderless.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental Health in agriculture \u2013 a right, not a luxury<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2023, set by the World Federation of Mental Health<\/a>, is \u2018Mental health is a universal human right\u2019. This applies to all communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone\u2019s wellbeing. It\u2019s also about breaking down the stigma associated with the subject, as is often encountered in the farming world, where the terms \u201cstiff-upper-lip\u201d and \u201ccrack on regardless\u201d are applied all too readily\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also a chance to talk about mental health in general, how to look after it, and how to get help if you, or people around you, are struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Promar \u2013 supporting mental health for agricultural workers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Promar, our consultants and analysts are in almost constant contact with farmers. Sometimes, our clients\u2019 personal worries and pressures become evident as our working relationship develops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, we have run sessions for our people on how to deal with these delicate situations, and on how to mitigate the effect it can have on their own mental health. We use the expertise of three specialist charities to help our team members to build personal resilience and support networks among themselves. In turn, this helps our people to effectively aid, advise and provide signposting to clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you find yourself troubled by personal or professional worries, mention them to your Promar contact. Your conversation will be treated with the utmost confidence, and you will be guided towards appropriate help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing mental health challenges in your farming community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are finding yourself isolated by any matter that is deeply troubling or threatening to overwhelm you, the best thing to do is to share your burden. Of course, that is easier said than done. The prospect of divulging troubling information with close associates, friends or loved ones can be extremely difficult, and can add to the trauma. In this case, experts that you don\u2019t know personally can be most helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, it may be that someone you know is showing signs of distress. In these cases, it is vital to reach out to any of these charities, so that they can advise you about the positive ways that you can help, or how you can point people in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The charities can help you to prepare yourself for the difficult and unpredictable conversation that you will have, and its aftermath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, you can encourage your person-in-need to speak to the expert directly. Above all though, don\u2019t say nothing. For a person in distress to realise that somebody \u201chas their back\u201d, even in the smallest way, or at least recognises their predicament, can make all the difference. It can be the first positive step on the path to recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specialist support for farmers\u2019 mental health<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are details of three key mental-health charities that we recommend, which provide specialist mental health support for farmers, their families, and their wider community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All three offer various types of help \u2013 including free support from financial advisors to discuss farm-business difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK-wide: The Farming Community Network (FCN)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Logo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Farming Community Network<\/a> (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers, their families, and the wider farming community across the UK. Whether the issue is personal or business-related, FCN is there to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FCN runs a confidential, national helpline and e-helpline which is open every day of the year. The FCN’s volunteers provide free, confidential support to anyone who seeks help for a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health, and family disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to its helpline and e-helpline, the FCN also offers a range of other services to the farming community, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n