HSENI is reminding the farming community to ‘Mind your head’ by visiting ‘Farm in Mind’

During this Farm Safety Week, HSENI is reminding the farming community to STOP and THINK about how they are looking after their mental well-being.

Staying well mentally is just as important as staying well physically. Dealing with the stresses and strains of daily life is part and parcel of everyday living. Farming, whilst rewarding, can sometimes feel very stressful and when your stress level rises so too does your risk of having an accident.

In February this year HSENI, working in conjunction with Rural Support, launched the ‘Farm in Mind’ website, a stress indicator tool, tailored specifically to the farming community. This website will help the user identify the level and origin of their stress and direct them to further support services where necessary.

There are some excellent resources on the ‘Farm In Mind’ website, including, Rural Support’s "Coping with the Pressures of Farming" booklet and links to support services in local communities. Rural Support have also provided their expertise by developing their ‘Support Hub’ which provides help and advice tailored to the users specific needs, this is all directly linked to the ‘Farm In mind’ website.

The website is completely confidential and very easy to use via a mobile, laptop or tablet.

Camilla Mackey, head of HSENI’s Agri-Food Team said: “Northern Ireland farmers are renowned for the attention they give to their livestock and crops but what we need to remind them is that looking after their own mental well-being should always be one of their top priorities.

“Farmers may not be able to put their finger on exactly what is causing them stress and worry, or there may be more than one thing on their mind, but this new ‘Farm in Mind’ website will help them identify all the issues which are causing them the most stress and guide them to the most relevant help and advice.”

The new Farm in Mind website can be found at www.farminmind.co.uk

Notes to editors: 

Notes to Editors:

1. 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)

2. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for the Economy (DfE).
3. HSENI is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland.
4. 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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