FINANCIAL PRESSURES, increased regulation, unpredictable working conditions and long hours are the main causes of stress on farms, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association.
At the launch of a leaflet, Let's Talk: Dealing with Stress, at the Department of Agriculture yesterday, IFA farm family and social affairs chairwoman Margaret Healy outlined the need for the action.
“The last few years had been very tough for many farm families, due to falling farm incomes,” she said, “with many farms now trying to sustain extra people due to the loss of off-farm incomes, as well as heavy debt burdens.”
The joint initiative with the organisation See Change is aimed at providing a helpful resource for farmers on dealing with the particular pressures of farm life and seeking help and support.
The farmers association is currently hosting a series of meetings to promote greater awareness of mental health problems and services. Speakers from See Change and the National Office of Suicide Prevention have been invited to talk at each of the association’s 29 county executives’ meetings over the coming months.
Minister of State with responsibility for mental health Kathleen Lynch said the important initiative was aimed at supporting farmers who, because of the isolation of their working life and heavy workload, could suffer from a high incidence of stress.
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said there was no doubt farmers were now dealing with more pressures like issues relating to finance, family or even the harsh weather conditions that had plagued Ireland within the last 12 months.
“Too often we hide these concerns, allowing them to fester into what is perceived to be an unmanageable situation,” Mr Coveney added.
“However, by opening up to somebody early and sharing one’s experience a resolution, which may have seemed to be impossible for the person concerned, can be found.”
John Saunders, director of See Change, said recognising and addressing the pressures and anxieties shared by the farming community was one way to create open discussion of the mental health problems that could affect anyone.
