Today marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week (14-20 May), and farmers and their families across Wales are being reminded that ‘it’s ok to say’.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging farmers and those living in rural areas not to hide problems from themselves, their families and friends but to talk about their personal feelings.
The FUW made a commitment at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in July 2017 to continue raising awareness of mental health problems in rural communities and is therefore renewing the call for those who might be suffering from mental health problems to seek help.
“The focus of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is on stress and farmers across the country will be all too familiar with that. In our places of work we’ve faced some pretty low-points in the last few years. Bovine TB, price volatility and uncertainty about our future post-Brexit, this all puts a strain on our resolve and will have many feeling stressed and under immense pressure,” said Union President Glyn Roberts.
“But we must break the stigma attached to mental health, so if you’re feeling vulnerable, please open-up and speak to someone. That doesn’t just mean today or over the course of this week -, but always. Farmers and farming families need to continue talking openly about what they are experiencing and the FUW strongly encourages anyone who is worried about their own mental health or a loved-one, to seek help from the Farming Community Network, Tir Dewi, The DPJ Foundation, Mind Cymru or Call Helpline Wales,” added Glyn Roberts.