The campaign begins on Monday 13 February 2023 and this year the campaign seeks to recognise the current pressures on farmers and how it impacts on their mental health.
The Farm Safety Foundation is the charity leading the campaign to raise awareness of protecting the physical and mental wellbeing of those living and working in the sector. According to their research, 94% of UK farmers under 40 rank poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today. This year’s campaign comes at a time when there is a collective acknowledgement that levels of mental health in the sector are deteriorating. There were 36 suicides registered in England & Wales among the farming and agricultural industry 2021 (Office of National Statistics).
The campaign is also striving to:
• Continue to break down the stigma attached to poor
mental health in the farming sector.
• Encourage audiences to learn more about their
mental health and how to maintain levels of wellbeing
• Share evidence, experiences and real stories to
illustrate what is being done to address the issue
• Highlight the charities and rural support groups who
are being relied on to support, and guide those
struggling with their mental health