This week (18 - 14th May 2020) is Mental Health Awareness Week. Run every year by the Mental Health Foundation, this year's theme is 'kindness'.
Many members of the farming community already live relatively isolated day-to-day lives, which has only been heightened as the country copes with lockdown and social distancing. That is why now more than ever, it is important to share and appreciate kindness.
Small acts of kindness have been helping many people, both in the farming, rural and wider communities feel closer together over the past few weeks, as neighbours help one another out and communities come together (at a distance) to celebrate the NHS, carers and all those who have gone above and beyond, to lessen the effects on our livelihoods of the global pandemic.
Take the opportunity this week to reach out to family member, friend, neighbour or colleague for a chat and a catch up - it can be beneficial to both of you.
You can get involved throughout the week, by carrying out or reflecting on an act of kindness. Post a photo or video, using the hashtags #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
The below list details a number of farming charities, there to provide support for all Covid-19 and 'business as usual' issues:
- - a confidential, national helpline providing practical and pastoral support
- - a branch of FCN, a one stop resource to help you and your farm business stay strong and resilient
- - provide practical advice for on-farm safety, as well as Yellow Wellies' , a guide on healthy mental wellbeing for the farming community
- - a farming mental health charity, operating in Norfolk, Suffolk and Worcestershire, also offer a of local support groups
To find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week, and how you can get involved, visit their
For information, guidance and in-the-moment support, contact the mental health charity (0300 123 3393), or the (116123)
HSE guidance on discussing the Covid-19 outbreak with your employees, including on how to provide wellbeing support, can be found
More NFU guidance on mental health support during the Covid-19 outbreak can be found here