As a representative of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I understand that the winter months can place immense strain on the physical and mental wellbeing of farmers. November marks the start of the ‘winter blues season,’ a time when seasonal changes can heavily impact mood.
In the UK, about 20% of the population experience a noticeable decline in mood during this time. This can include feelings of grumpiness, lethargy, a lack of motivation, irritability, low energy, or even struggling to do day-to-day routines or jobs on the farm.
People living in rural and remote areas may feel even more isolated in the winter months, with more time spent indoors and less face-to-face interactions in the colder weather.
Maintaining your mental health through these winter months is essential in supporting your overall health, safety and wellness. BACP has called on the Government to recognise the unique stresses and pressures already faced by this vulnerable community, and urges them to make counselling and psychotherapy a priority by providing dedicated mental health support.
In my previous Workplace statement, I said:
“We’re deeply concerned for the mental health and welfare of our farming communities and urge the Government to invest more in providing timely, accessible support. UK farmers are already at breaking point with 95% admitting their mental health concerns are a problem . And every week three people in the UK farming and agricultural industry die by suicide. We don’t want to see these figures rise as adverse weather bites, adding to pressures created by higher living costs and the impact of policy changes.
‘Long hours and working in isolation often lead to many farmers bottling up their feelings. And the Government’s current support package for rural communities is simply not enough to ensure they have access to the specialist mental health support they need. We’re committed to increasing access to psychological therapies for those from isolated and marginalised groups and playing a leading role in this agenda.’
We’ve recently contributed to the DEFRA inquiry into rural mental health and provided evidence for an adjournment debate focused on improving mental health in farming and agricultural communities. Through continued advocacy and support, I hope we can make a lasting difference for those who keep our farms running and our tables full.
