Mental health hubs being set up in rural England to combat high rates of farmer suicide

The Express reports that nine in ten farmers rank poor mental health as their biggest concern, with experts calling for more focus amid high suicide rates

To help tackle the problem, “wellbeing hubs” are being set up by charities across rural England to help isolated agricultural staff receive companionship and mental health support.

Specialists say farmers are ­especially vulnerable as they battle spiralling fuel and fertiliser costs, poor harvests and problems accessing goods and labour following Brexit.

Less access to GPs and bank managers – once the go-to professionals for farmers to confide in – is compounding problems.

There are plans to upskill vets and insurance reps to fill this gap and keep an eye on mental health issues.

Research by the Farm Safety Foundation charity shows 94 per cent of farmers under 40 cited mental ill health as their biggest worry – a rise of 10 per cent since 2018.

The survey of almost 1,000 farmers also showed 84 per cent of farmers over 40 said poor mental health is their biggest worry.

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The Express - Mental health hubs being set up in rural England to combat high rates of farmer suicide