The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) has published the results from its Big Farming Survey, the largest ever research project in England and Wales relating to the wellbeing of farming people.
The survey ran from January to March 2021 with the goals to:
- Understand the wellbeing of a farming generation
- Understand the health of our farmers and their businesses
- Gain insights into external impacts and pressures
- Shape future support and services
While more than 50% of the 15,000 plus survey respondents remain optimistic about the future of their farming businesses, the results found that:
- 36% of the farming community are probably or possibly depressed
- Over one-half of women (58%) experience mild, moderate or severe anxiety
- An average of six factors cause stress across the farming community. The most commonly reported sources of stress are; regulation, compliance and inspection, Covid-19, bad/unpredictable weather, loss of subsidies/future trade deals
- Over half (52%) of the farming community experience pain and discomfort, one in four have mobility problems and 21% have problems in undertaking usual tasks due to health issues
- 59% of respondents believe their business is viable over the next five years.
These alarming results, which demonstrate the importance of providing support for mental health, will be used by the RABI and other farming mental health charities to help shape future services.
RABI has confirmed plans to launch an accredited, bespoke farming mental health first aid training service, access to in-person mental health support and further trials of the RABI’s Community Pillars initiative.
The FUW made a commitment at the Royal Welsh Show in 2017 to keep the spotlight on mental health issues for as long as it remains a problem in rural communities and will continue to support charities like the RABI to provide such support.
The FUW held a virtual webinar for the 2021 Royal Welsh Show titled ‘Mental Health - how are you doing?’ to discuss how rural mental health charities have been able to help during the Covid-19 pandemic, what help they need to address the growing demand of mental health services and explore what individuals can do to maintain good mental health.