Farm Safety Week: Coping with the Pressures of Farming

During this Farm Safety Week, the Farm Safety Foundation and its partner organisations have joined forces to drive forward the issue of ‘Pressures of Farming’.

At this year’s Balmoral Show, Rural Support, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), launched its new booklet entitled ‘Coping with the Pressures of Farming’, aimed at offering the farming community help and assistance in relation to their health and well-being and coping with the everyday pressures of running a farm.

Staying well mentally is just as important as staying well physically. Dealing with stress and strain, the ups and downs of life, are part and parcel of daily living. Farming, whilst rewarding, can sometimes feel stressful. Unpredictable weather, the economic downturn, rising costs, poor prices, uncertain future, aches and pains, as well as feelings of isolation can all cause pressures for the farming community and can lead to issues with a farmer’s mental wellbeing.

This booklet has been researched and collated to address some of the many and varied issues that contribute to stress when not handled appropriately.

Objectives of this resource:

• to promote positive mental health among farmers and farm families
• to encourage help seeking behaviours in terms of emotional well-being among farmers and farm families by increasing awareness of services available
• to reduce financial stress by encouraging more efficient ways of managing resources and increasing awareness of support services
• to improve community understanding of what mental health truly is and challenge the fears and stigma often associated with mental illness which can be barriers to seeking necessary professional help
• to promote and encourage the development of Social Farming for the benefit of vulnerable citizens, persons and their families

Bryan Monson, Deputy Chief Executive HSENI, said: “It is important to realise that how farmers deal with pressures and stress can affect their ability to farm safely and remain healthy, yet because farming is such a busy occupation it’s often the last thing on their mind.

“Farmers are good at looking after their land and livestock, they fix and maintain equipment, improve and enhance their farms, but often forget to look after the farms greatest asset – themselves.

“This booklet is designed to provide practical help and guidance on dealing with the pressures which are often encountered, and signpost to sources of help and advice.”

To download a copy of this booklet, please see the following link:

• Coping with the Pressures of Farming (www.ruralsupport.org.uk)

Notes to editors: 

1. For more information on the Farm Safety Partnership please contact HSENI on 0800 0320 121 or visit the Farm Safety Partnership webpage: 

2. Farm Safety Week 2019 is supported by the Farm Safety Foundation, Farm Safety Partnerships, the Health and Safety Executive, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority, Ireland.

3. The Campaign aims to highlight the serious dangers posed by farms and offers themed practical advice and guidance for farmers. This year Farm Safety Week reminds farmers that farm safety is a lifestyle not a slogan.

4. The Farm Safety Partnership comprises the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), NFU Mutual (NFUM), the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) and the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association (NIAPA). It is tasked with assisting Northern Ireland’s farming community to work safely and tackle the problem of work-related fatalities and injuries on farms.

5. The Farm Safety Partnership’s ongoing ‘Stop and Think SAFE’ farm safety campaign focuses on the four main causes of death and injury on our farms – slurry, animals, falls and equipment (SAFE).

6. For media enquiries please contact HSENI Press Office on 028 9024 3249 or email media@hseni.gov.uk. For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.

7. HSENI is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland.

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