Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland launches interactive website to help farming community deal with stress

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has launched an interactive website specifically to help the local farming community identify and deal with the stress and pressure of farming life.

The new website www.farminmind.co.uk is entirely confidential, and was developed with the help of key agricultural partners including Rural Support, The Farm Safety Partnership, and the Workplace Health and Leadership Group (NI).  

HSENI Chief Executive Robert Kidd said: “The farming community has gone through enormous change and transformation in recent years. Demands on our agri-food industry are higher than ever before and can often lead to increased stress levels for our farmers and their families.  It is with this in mind, along with our industry partners, we have developed the FarminMind bespoke site to help our local agri-food community identify and deal with stress.

“The website provides instant, private, and convenient help. I would encourage all adults in our farming community to spend a few minutes and explore the benefits the site offers.”

The site is quick and easy to use. Users, as a first step, can opt to complete an internationally recognised questionnaire developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The ‘WHO-5’ questionnaire poses five short key questions that will help establish the level of stress being personally experienced. .  

The second step on the site has been specifically designed for the local farming community. Based on information provided by the user, it aims to identify the specific stressors impacting on the individual.

Veronica Morris, speaking at the event on behalf of Rural Support said: “Working together with the Northern Ireland Farm Support Hub, the FarminMind website will ensure that farmers and farming families have access to the most up to date, relevant and practical advice, support, and information to help them to develop their mental fitness and create sustainable and more resilient farm businesses.

“We are delighted to partner with HSENI in the delivery of these important resources and help strengthen the agri-sector in Northern Ireland.”

The new site, having helped individuals to identify the causes of stress, will offer the user a wide range of information and resources, including the details of organisations who can offer free, confidential support, and help. It also provides a one-stop list of contact details of organisations involved in the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE), and is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland: www.hseni.gov.uk
2. Rural Support provides impartial guidance for farmers and farm families members in support of their farm business and personal wellbeing www.ruralsupport.org.uk
3. The Farm Safety Partnership (FSP) is made-up of key stakeholders with an interest in farm safety. The Farm Safety Partnership aims to increase awareness of farm safety and to reduce work-related fatalities and injuries on Northern Ireland's farms. Stakeholders include:

• Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI)
• Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)
• Farm Safety Foundation (FSF)
• NFU Mutual (NFUM)
• Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association (NIAPA)
• Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU)
• Young Farmers’ Club of Ulster (YFCU)

4. The Workplace Health and Leadership Group (NI) was formed by stakeholders from across industry and government to ensure that effective occupational health management is given the priority in Northern Ireland workplaces that it warrants. www.whlgni.org.uk
5. 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.

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