Story Highlight
– Farmers’ mental wellbeing at four-year low in UK.
– 47 farming-related suicides reported in England and Wales.
– Mind Your Head week aims to enhance suicide prevention.
– Unique pressures on farmers create mental health challenges.
– New training tools to support rural suicide awareness efforts.
Full Story
Farmers throughout the United Kingdom are currently facing unprecedented challenges, with recent studies indicating a troubling decline in mental health within the agricultural sector. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported that 47 suicides were recorded in England and Wales in 2024 among individuals working in farming and agriculture. This alarming statistic underscores the escalating crisis that rural communities are grappling with.
The Farm Safety Foundation, commonly known as Yellow Wellies, identifies what it terms the “biggest hidden problem” in the industry—mental health issues, particularly those that lead to suicide. In response, the organisation is gearing up for its ninth annual Mind Your Head campaign, scheduled to take place from 9 to 13 February 2026. This initiative aims to encourage farmers, rural organisations, colleges, and Young Farmers Clubs to foster crucial conversations and bolster support networks throughout the countryside.
Stephanie Berkeley, the manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, highlighted that while awareness of mental health issues has improved over recent years, efforts towards suicide prevention have not kept pace. “Over the past nine years, we have made significant strides in raising awareness and improving education around mental health. However, when it comes to suicide prevention, progress has been far more limited,” she remarked.
The findings from the charity’s latest survey, which included responses from 765 farmers across the UK and utilised the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), reveal a concerning reality. The mental wellbeing of those in agriculture remains notably lower when compared to that of the general UK population. Specifically, for farmers aged over 40, mental health indicators have plummeted to the lowest level observed in the past four years. This decline is particularly pronounced among the over-61 demographic, a group that has historically been considered resilient in the farming sector.
Berkeley noted that the pressures faced by farming families are multifaceted, encompassing factors such as social isolation, financial instability, long hours, and the weight of generational expectations. She stated, “Farming brings a unique set of pressures… Conversations about suicide in rural communities require approaches that are real, relatable and rooted in lived experience.”
Despite the invaluable support provided by rural organisations and charities, the need for specialised suicide prevention training tailored to the agricultural context remains critical. Berkeley warned that without this targeted training, individuals may lack the resources necessary to identify warning signs and provide meaningful support to those in distress.
In light of these challenges, there is a growing movement within rural organisations to enhance their suicide prevention strategies. Scottish charity RSABI has recently appointed its first dedicated Suicide Prevention Lead, while Northern Ireland’s Rural Support has similarly recruited an officer focused on this pressing issue. These developments were further acknowledged during a recent roundtable discussion involving prominent farming support charities, which was attended by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
As part of the Royal Foundation’s National Suicide Prevention Network—an initiative launched to mark World Mental Health Day—the Farm Safety Foundation is strategically positioning this year’s Mind Your Head campaign to foster collaboration, innovation, and greater access to resources. A new eLearning module focused on Suicide Awareness and Prevention will debut during the campaign. Developed in partnership with Baton of Hope and funded by the Royal Foundation, this training will be specifically designed for those within the farming community, equipping them with practical tools to identify warning signs, communicate effectively, and develop simple safety plans alongside directions for accessing specialised support.
Karen Hodgson, associate director at the Royal Foundation, emphasised the importance of this collaboration: “It is great to see collaboration in action… bringing innovative approaches to suicide prevention and reaching communities that need it most,” she noted. Hodgson expressed confidence that these efforts will significantly impact the mental wellbeing of individuals living and working in rural areas across the UK.
The Mind Your Head campaign will also strive to share personal narratives from those within the farming community who have been affected by suicide. A new film, showcasing these voices, will be released as part of the initiative. Berkeley encapsulated the campaign’s objectives, stating, “This will be a campaign about education, resilience and compassion — but above all, it will be about hope and saving lives.”
For those interested in learning more about the upcoming Mind Your Head week, additional details can be found on the Yellow Wellies website, where supporters are encouraged to engage with the campaign using the hashtag #MindYourHead.
Amid these alarming trends, the agricultural sector is urged to come together to actively participate in these conversations, which are essential for fostering a support system that prioritises mental health and wellbeing within the farming community.
Our Thoughts
To mitigate the mental health crisis in the farming sector and potentially prevent the reported suicides, several key measures should be implemented. Firstly, enhanced training specifically tailored for agricultural contexts is critical. This could involve integration of mental health first aid training into farming education programs, ensuring that workers can identify warning signs and provide immediate support.
Secondly, adherence to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 necessitates a proactive approach to mental wellbeing as part of overall workplace health strategies. Employers should establish clear mental health policies and create a supportive work environment that encourages open discussions about mental health without stigma.
Thirdly, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require risk assessments to include psychological risks. Regular assessments should encompass factors unique to farming, such as financial stress, isolation, and long hours.
Finally, consistent outreach and collaboration among rural organizations can strengthen support networks, ensuring that farmers have access to necessary resources. By prioritizing mental health and fostering a culture of care, the agriculture sector can work towards reducing the tragic incidence of suicide and improving overall wellbeing.
