“Asking for support sooner is a sign of strength”
As a survey reveals high levels of depression in farmers, RABI is helping them build resilience
Suzy Deeley understands only too well the labyrinthine maze of challenges and pressures faced daily by the rural community. Just to survive. The daughter of an arable and pig farmer, she has the wellbeing of agricultural families in her DNA.
She still lives on the third-generation family farm near the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution’s headquarters where she’s Head of Partnerships. The charity has been stepping in with financial support for farming families hit by unforeseen crises to get them back on their feet for the past 160 years. It’s the oldest and largest national farming charity, operating across England and Wales, and is also a National Grid grantor.
But the imperfect storm of Brexit, increased regulation, enforced environmental change and the small matter of a pandemic has proved a watershed moment in its existence. Because when RABI commissioned the largest ever survey of its kind into the mental and physical health of the 15,500 people in the industry two years ago, the findings were a startling wake-up call.
Almost four in 10 said they were depressed, nearly half were suffering with varying levels of anxiety and 52% said they experienced daily pain and discomfort. “They were just the ones who admitted it,” says Suzy: “The farming community are incredibly stoic, proud and resilient, so the figures could be far higher.”
And that, in essence, is the barrier Suzy and the team at RABI want to smash through to end the silent suffering.
Resilient is a word she uses repeatedly to describe the rural community, but it’s a double-edged sword: “We can’t continue with farmers soldiering on because it’s what they’ve always done. We need to get them talking. Now. A lot of farmers, many of whom who have been in the industry for decades, are finding things tough, but we are here to help them.”
Free face-to-face counselling and online support
RABI is providing wider support for the farming community and in January they launched free, in-person, professional and confidential counselling for the whole of the farming community. That was on top of an existing online wellbeing platform offering free, anonymous access from the RABI website to articles, forums and access to one-to-one, text-based support. “The survey provided us with a broad picture and evidence base of the farming community, helping us to start to concentrate our efforts and provide the best levels of support to achieve the greatest impact,” says Suzy.
“The online service was the start, but we have now extended our services to include in-person support, either face-to-face, by telephone or video conference, offering access to a trained counsellor inside 24 hours, without the need for a clinical referral.” All counsellors have a background or interest in farming and have received training to ensure that they understand the complex challenges affecting the farming community and the profession’s unique demands.
“The aim is to build on the resilience farming people have by being more proactive and encouraging early intervention… before the triggers become crisis points,” stresses Suzy. “We need them to understand that speaking out and seeking support sooner is a sign of strength.”
Cause for optimism
There is cause for optimism. Despite highlighting personal and business challenges, The Big Farming Survey also found 59% of the community believe their business is viable over the next five years. Despite that though, surprisingly few farmers – around 60% – have any real plans for the future.
This year will see RABI roll out accredited or certified mental health training amid growing requests from organisations and individuals wanting to equip themselves with the tools to start conversations. “That will extend our reach and help people to access support. That little bit of help at the right time makes an enormous difference. The reason for poor mental health is often a combination of things and it’s definitely not one size fits all, but until we talk about the reasons or causes, they can stay covered,” says Suzy.
“Farmers, farm workers and their families are incredibly busy every day. There are no set hours, no weekends and admitting there’s a problem often doesn’t cross their mind. They carry on and hope they can work their way through it, but mental health doesn’t make allowances for that.”
Suzy Deeley
‘Loneliness can be a big issue’
Suzy and her team have referred growing numbers of landowners to the charity’s specialist mental health partners. Many famers simply wanted to talk about the small things that add up to cause anxiety and stress. Most found that starting the conversation helped them face their issues.
Stewart, a second-generation sheep farmer from Hereford, sought the help of RABI and has no regrets about swallowing his pride: “Being on a tractor can be a wonderful way of clearing your head, just concentrating on the work in hand and listening to the radio. But it can also be lonely and if you’re having a down day, being stuck in the cab is like being stuck inside your own head.
36%
of the farming community are depressed.
29%
of respondents hardly ever or never leave their farm
“I’ve used the counselling on three occasions and I know it’s there if I ever need it again, and I wouldn’t hesitate. We’re all guilty of putting on a stiff upper lip and saying ‘oh yes, I’m not too bad thanks, and you?’ when we’re asked how we are instead of talking it through.”
As well as being a listening ear, the charity has an impressive track record of providing practical support and care as well as one-off and regular financial assistance to grantors.
Suzy says: “We continue to do that but the last couple of years has brought new and increased challenges to the surface. The many reasons or causes for stress, anxiety or depression can be small but when added together they can seem like a mountain."
“I’m passionate about normalising conversations about mental health because I want to make a difference to the community I still feel very much a part of.”
“It’s always good to talk about your problems. There’s always an answer and people out there to help you find a solution. Don’t suffer in silence. It’s really important for our industry to be heard.”
Gareth Wyn Jones, beef and sheep farmer, North Wales
