Problems

Farming Community
 

Farmers in UK often experience high rates of depression and isolation. This is often linked to factors like long hours, financial pressure and isolation. Research has suggested that farmers are at a higher risk of mental illness and suicide. Due to the nature of the physical work involved, farmers can also be at high risk of suffering with physical health problems which can also impact on general mental health and wellbeing. Changes in farming have also led to fewer and larger farms which can also increase the sense of isolation and less of a community, leaving farmers often feeling alone and unsupported.

It is never easy to reach out to others but please do not suffer in silence. There are those out there who will support you, are non judgemental and just want to help. 
 

The following organisations specifically provide support for the farming community.

Addington Fund
https://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/
The Addington Fund exists to help the Farming Community when you need help the most. Provide housing and disaster relief in the form of animal feed or services to farmers in need across England and Wales, they stand by your side and help you get back on your feet. Support also includes farmworker grants.

AHDB (Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board)
https://ahdb.org.uk/support-for-farmers
Information, support, resources to help the farming community

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)
https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/wellbeing-support-for-farmers/
Support organisations for the farming community

FAS (Farming Advice Service)
03000 200 301 M-F 8.30am to 5pm
https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/farming-advice-service
Service run by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA|) to help farmers understand and meet the regulations that apply to their business.

Forage Aid
01926 620135(all enquiries now handled through the Addington Fund)
https://forageaid.org.uk/
Forage Aid help farmers whose feed or bedding supply has been disrupted by extreme weather or an Act of God by sourcing and distributing feed and bedding with the help of donations from the farming community.The charity was set up by farmers themselves in 2013 to help farms in parts of the UK that had been hit by heavy snow and were struggling to feed their livestock. Since then Forage Aid has helped over 150 farms across the UK by sourcing and coordinating more than £850,000 worth of goods and services donated by fellow farmers, businesses and other charities.
Forage Aid supports UK farmers (with a Defra holding number) who face a clear and present risk of the livestock suffering due to extreme weather or an Act of God.

NFU The Voice of British Farming
0370 845 8458
https://www.nfuonline.com/
Their unlimited service is free for NFU Farmer & Grower members.If you are looking for professional advice on farming, legal or technical issues – or for general membership enquiries – their CallFirst team are ready to help.


Find Mental Health and Wellbeing Support in your area

Stress and depression are common illnesses in the UK. People working in farming dealing with financial pressures, irregular weather patterns, and market and price volatility are as susceptible to stress as anyone else. Common symptoms include low mood, anxiety and changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Often the first step in dealing with issues is to talk with somebody.

Find local help in your area or find out about help from national organisations. (Please note, call costs may vary.)
https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/find-wellbeing-support-in-your-area/

RABI The Farmers Charity
0800 188 4444 24hr helpline 
email support: help@rabi.org.uk
https://rabi.org.uk/
Support includes online mental wellbeing service, counselling support, mental health training, financial support and grants, information, advice and guidance, partnerships.

RSABI (Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution)
0808 1234 555 24hr helpline
https://www.rsabi.org.uk/
RSABI's mission is to support and take care of as many farming people as possible in Scottish agriculture.
Support includes helpline and webchat, regular telephone support, counselling, help for heating, financial support for essential items, annual payment, business review, information on benefits, debt, employment, advice on having difficult converations, support following accident, injury or illness, mental health first aid awareness training, Thrive Wellbeing app. 

The DPJ Foundation
0800 587 4262
https://www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk/
Supporting those in the agricultural sector with poor mental health by providing support, spreading awareness, and training those in farming to be aware of poor mental health and its impact within our communities. 
The DPJ Foundation was set up in July 2016 in Pembrokeshire, supporting those in the agricultural sector. The mental health farming charity has grown and covers the whole of Wales with all areas of support. The DPJ Foundation works with leading organisations in agriculture including NFU Cymru, FUW, YFC, vets and Welsh Government to help provide an accessible and flexible service.

Share the load is the 24/7 confidential counselling referral service which operates specifically for those in the agricultural community. This was set up because of the long waiting times associated with counselling and the difficulty in accessing support. They have over 30 Samaritans trained volunteers who staff the call line and text service.  Calls to their service are completely confidential.  Alongside their volunteers, they work with around 80 qualified professional counsellors and therapists who provide their counselling service.

The DPJ Foundation was set up in July 2016 following the death of Daniel Picton-Jones. The DPJ Foundation aims to support those in the agricultural sector suffering from poor mental health. Daniel’s mental health problems went undiagnosed and unseen by many. Daniel was an agricultural contractor, he was part of a sector with one of the highest suicide rates. His widow Emma decided to set up the foundation to support the mental health of those in the farming sector, for those who feel just as Daniel did, providing them with the support that he didn’t know how to get.

The Farming Community Network (FCN)
03000 111 999 7am-11pm
email helpline: help@fcn.org.uk
https://fcn.org.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWKQ55ODzSg&t=12s
Confidential national helpline and e-helpline open every day of the year 7am to 11pm and volunteers provide free confidential support to anyone who needs help.

FCN also runs a website called FarmWell, which contains useful information to support you, the people around you and your farm business. It contains a lot of helpful information around health, wellbeing, business resilience, and planning ahead.  

The Royal Countryside Fund: Farm Support Groups
https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/how-we-help/farm-support-groups/
Following The Royal Countryside Fund’s 2019 farmer networks conference, feedback from UK farm support groups showed there was a need for a central coordinator to allow the organisations to share knowledge and ease collaboration. Therefore, the RCF introduced a new Farm Support Coordinator role. Over the past three years, theirFarm Support Coordinator has created a network of more than 50 Farm Support Groups, helping these incredible organisations to better collaborate and share knowledge, best practice and advice with each other.

The National Directory of Farm and Rural Support Groups can be accessed through this link https://www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/how-we-help/farm-support-groups/

Tir Dewi Farm Support
0800 121 47 22
https://tirdewi.wales/
Suporting farmers and their families across Wales. Free helpline, listening support and signposting service.

YANA - specific help for those in the East Anglia area
0300 323 0400 M-F 10am-1pm
email support: helpline@yanahelp.org
https://www.yanahelp.org/
Help for those involved in agriculture and other rural businesses and affected by stress and depression.
Support includes confidential support and funded counselling, building understanding of mental health, investing in mental health training and suicide prevention, distributing a national suicide prevention resource - 7 Tractor Facts to Save a Life 
Useful information wherever you live and work.