Somehow, this year, January and February seem to have been at least six months long. For many, this is the time of year when things seem at their darkest. When you combine the cost-of-living crisis, production and energy costs that fluctuate on an almost weekly basis, policies that favour trees over food and the constant hammering of the agricultural sector (from people who can’t grow anything, and probably have a windowsill of failing plants), is it any wonder that mental health in farming is at an all-time low? But there is always hope.
We at Baileys and Partners thought it would be a good chance to talk about mental health and to point those in need to the support they need.
You may be a farmer who is suffering with their own mental health, or you may be the friend or family member of someone you know is struggling. If you find yourself or others needing support then help is out there, a problem shared is a problem halved (please see a list of support at the bottom of this blog, we hope you find them useful).
If you have a friend or family member who is having mental health struggles, this may be a difficult subject to raise, but it is necessary, and it will be worth it. It’s often the person that does not want to talk readily that needs the support, with you as a family member or friend at least they know they have someone who they can turn to should they feel ready. Their worries may be a bigger issue than you can help with, or they may be willing to talk more openly to a person unknown to them, if this happens don’t take it personally but instead direct them towards professionals and services that can help.
The team at Baileys and Partners have links with The Farming Community Network (FCN). The FCN is a network of 400 volunteers throughout England and Wales who are ready to provide pastoral and practical support to anyone who seeks their help. Most of the volunteers have a farming background so understand the issues farming families face. They work with a number of government and agricultural organisations and healthcare services. The FCN advisors can provide ‘walk with’ support with personal or business-related matters (they both go hand in hand in farming).
Our key message to clients is that talking helps and we can often find a clearing in the woodland.
If you need support or you’re offering it, there is always hope and there is help. Please pick up the phone to us if we can be of support, Baileys and Partners: 01341 241700 (Llanbedr) or 01248 893777 (Anglesey) www.baileysandpartners.co.uk
Here are some useful helplines and links (click on the links), we hope these are of help:
Farming Community Network:
03000 111 999 help@fcn.or.uk
Urgent mental health helplines
England
If you live in England, you can call a local NHS urgent mental health helpline for support during a mental health crisis. Anyone can call these helplines, at any time.
These helplines offer similar support to a crisis team. The NHS website has more information on urgent mental health helplines, including how to find your local helpline.
Wales
In Wales, you can contact NHS 111 and select option 2. This will put you through to an NHS helpline offering 24/7 urgent mental health support. Visit the NHS 111 Wales website to find out more about this service.
Shout
If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
C.A.L.L.
If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or you can text ‘help’ followed by a question to 81066
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day).
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
You can call CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, try the CALM webchat service.
