Today saw the launch of mental health publication Coping with the Pressures of Farming which has been reproduced for Northern Ireland farmers and their families.

Local farming charity Rural Support and the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI), have collaborated to create the extensive resource which is an adaptation of Teagasc and Mental Health Ireland’s publication.

Coping with the Pressures of Farming provides information on issues that affect farmers, farming families and farm businesses, such as financial planning, dealing with the loss of animals, depression, suicide, grief and more.

Launch of Coping with the Pressures of Farming which has been adapted for Northern Ireland at Balmoral Show. \ Liam McArdle.

Farmers can also access a number of directory services and helplines in the publication which will provide support and guidance in relation to personal and/or professional challenges.

The publication is free and farmers can receive a copy from Rural Support or HSENI. They can also access Coping with the Pressures of Farming online through Rural Support and HSENI’s website.

We know that the pressures of farming are great and there are lots of factors such as weather, animal disease or finance

HSENI deputy chief executive Bryan Monson, outlines the aim of the resource which focuses on building resilience and encouraging farmers to talk about their mental health.

“The publication is designed to help farmers deal with the pressures that they face every day. We know that the pressures of farming are great and there are lots of factors such as weather, animal disease or finance, but when those pressures start to cause excessive stress that effects people’s mental wellbeing and their physical health, and it means that they are more likely to have accidents.

“This project has been about looking after the whole farm family unit. Not only mental and physical health, it’s about the safety and resilience of farm families.

The resources are in the book, they give people guidance and provide help lines to people that they can speak too

“If we’re going to protect farmers we need to ensure that they are kept healthy. Healthy farmers are more productive and happier, this is the key aspect of what we are trying to do and to ensure that the resources are there.

“The resources are in the book, they give people guidance and provide help lines to people that they can speak too.”

The stigma around mental health is slowly dissolving, but there is still much work to be done. Byrne encourages farmers to put their own health and wellbeing first.

“We’re all very reticent about talking about our health but it’s really important. We spend lots of time looking after our animals and equipment, we do our very best to farm the best way we can and the most important aspect on your farm is the person or people who are farming.

“Look after yourself; you won’t be 100% every day and if things are getting bad you need to seek help from people who know how to help you. It’s really important that people look after themselves and when they do things will progress.”

Find out more about Coping with the Pressures of Farming on the Rural Support and the HSENI websites.