Looking after your needs when faced with challenges on farm

Here are some suggestions for where to access help for mental health and personal resilience:

• AHDB’s Support for farmers web page has links to a range of charities that offer advice, guidance and, in some cases, financial support to farmers and growers
• Read the Yellow Wellies booklet ‘Coping with the stresses of C19’  
• The NHS provides 10 tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus
• FarmWell have guidance on personal resilience and run a helpline: 03000 111 999
• Fit for Farming (Men) and Fit for Farming (Women) give advice on changes you can make, to have a positive effect on both body and mind
• DairyNZ’s Dealing with Hard Times article discussed one dairy farmer’s experience with depression and how he now stays in good mental health 

We live in an uncertain world, and so it’s increasingly important to share problems and concerns with family, friends and people who can help. A problem shared is a problem halved. Your family members and employees need to understand what you’re thinking, and you need to understand their points of view, too. External consultants can help you take a fresh look at your situation and explore your options. There is more guidance on talking about changing your business and succession planning, here:

As we don’t know what the future holds, now is the time to put things in place to cater for every eventuality. Access information and templates to help you prepare a contingency plan, here:

Podcast: How a positive mindset can help work-life balance

Richard Carruthers, one of our Strategic Farmers in Cumbria, talks about how having a positive mindset has helped with his farm business and his work-life balance.

Podcast: Resilience in dairy farm businesses – bounce without breaking

Find out how farmers in New Zealand and others internationally have adapted to be more resilient and strategic. In other words, how can we put the buzz words into practice?

This AHDB & Farm Community Network: Mental Health Awareness webinar talks through how to recognise mental health issues in yourself and others, and practical ways of starting conversations and supporting others with their mental health.

The following recordings also discuss the impact of mental health issues in agriculture and horticulture, and provide some advice on how to cope with – and bounce forward from – a period of poor mental health:

• Doug Avery (AKA ‘The Resilient Farmer’) explains how he dealt with difficulties he's experienced, from spiralling debts to drought
• Stay calm through COVID – Crisis is a state of mind is a joint Nuffield/Focused Farmers webinar
• Women in Dairy have a programme of mental health awareness webinars