Work has been taking place in Rushcliffe, led by the Rushcliffe Community Voluntary Service (CVS), to look at how best the farming community can be supported with their mental health.
The Farming Community Network (FCN) highlighted that the farming community are at higher risk of suicide and mental health challenges. There are a lot of difficulties farmers face, such as rising costs, which are taking a toll on confidence and certainty, which are contributing to some farmers struggling with their mental health.
The FCN works to raise awareness about the free and confidential practical and pastoral support FCN offers farming families and the wider agricultural industry in Nottinghamshire.
Rushcliffe CVS is working to raise more awareness of the service and connect FCN with relevant organisations in the county. With a particular request to engage GP practices to enable partners to share thoughts on how we might more effectively connect isolated, hard to reach farmers with necessary health care and other relevant support networks.
Information is also sent over to the FCN that would be relevant to their volunteers, such as free courses from Harmless for suicide and bereavement, free counselling courses and also asking the young farmers if they would join the patient participation group at their GP practices to get the farming community voice heard. Yvonne also shares information that may be useful to farmers such as about the Groundworks green doctor project, who will go and talk with farmers around their energy cost, free light bulbs and look at any other areas they may be to help them save money from the family home on the farm.
There are plans to continue to connect with the FCN to ensure farmers receive the best possible support. Farmers can get support from the FCN here – Health – Farming Community Network (fcn.org.uk)