Researchers at Robert Gordon University are set to explore and enhance the mental health of Scotland’s farming population as part of a newly-launched project.
The university will work with NHS Grampian and the farming community to listen to a range of opinions on mental health and what can be done to improve it.
Data from the project will then be used to shape an intervention to enhance and safeguard rural wellbeing for the future.
Worrying statistics
One of the researchers leading the study, Prof. Kay Cooper explained: “We know that farmers and others working in the agriculture sector regularly experience distress, anxiety and depression, which in turn are related to greater risk of injury.
“Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the suicide rate of farmers is at a worrying level – with on average one farmer [dies by suicide] each week in the UK.
“Aside from the personal impact, poor mental wellbeing has a significant economic cost, with the World Health Organisation recently estimating the global burden at £34.9 billion.
We have recently completed an initial review of prior interventions for wellbeing and chronic occupational diseases in the farming population, but of the 45 studies we found, only one focussed on mental wellbeing – and was not applicable to a Scottish context.
With the support of the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS), the team of researchers will be holding interviews with farmers at Thainstone and Orkney marts, before moving on to the in-depth workshop phase.
NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said: “Mental health and wellbeing is a hugely important subject which too often is ignored in the farming community.
“Over the last few years, we have been seeing more and more people coming out in our industry and shining a light on the issue of depression and anxiety and how it can be so prevalent in farmers and crofters.
“NFU Scotland is committed to improving the mental health and welfare of farmers and crofters across Scotland and we work closely with organisations such as RSABI [the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution] and the Rural Mental Health Forum – which I sit on as a representative – to help tackle mental health stigma in farming.”
The first session of the study began on Monday (February 11) at Orkney Mart with the next to take place on Friday (February 15) at Thainstone Mart.
Farmers interested in taking part can contact Lorna Paterson.
