皇家华人

Why we should all talk about mental health

11 October 2022

Andrew Bebb Chairman Shropshire Rural Support

We all face times of stress, experiencing anxiety, and many of us will be clinically depressed at some stage in our lives. Shropshire farmer and NFU member Andrew Bebb explains that we need to break down the stigma surrounding mental health once and for all 鈥� it is ok to be not ok.

For some, experiencing 鈥榣ows鈥�, can be very short lived as we learn to cope, manage and overcome our problems. For others the 鈥榣ows鈥� can extend for years and require medical intervention.

Many men, especially in the agriculture industry, are not good at seeking medical advice for fear of being stigmatised.

Statistically 25% of males will not reach their 65th birthday, that鈥檚 frightening. A change of mind set is needed, don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help.

Accepting we have a problem

We need to accept that we have a problem, and I鈥檓 as guilty as anyone for avoiding a trip to the GP surgery. When we are ready to accept that we have a problem we are halfway to finding a solution.

We all need to be a bit more aware of our own mental health issues and those of our friends, families, and neighbour鈥檚, especially in our rural communities. Notice mood changes. Are they feeling OK. Ask them.

We all work long hours, I recall being on a zoom meeting in the spring with non-farmers who were working 38-hour weeks, I explained that it is lambing time for farmers, you can put a one in front of the 38 hours.

Tiredness leads to accidents and there lies a factor in the fatality figures on farms. With the long and sometimes isolated hours we work, life can get us down at times, but it hasn鈥檛 got to be like that. With a positive mental attitude, no problem is insurmountable.

Help is out there

Confidential help is available through a number of charities.

  • Farming Help (call 03000 111 999)
  • Farming Community Network (FCN) Helpline (call 03000 111 999)
  • 听补苍诲
  • the offer 24-hour assistance.

Here in Shropshire, we have SRS () who have been helping the rural community for over 30 years and have this year been recognised by being receiving the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

I have been involved with SRS for some 20 years, working closely the Trading Standards, Animal and Plant Health Agency, British Cattle Movement Service and the Rural Payments Agency.

We have helped people overcome issues from bovine TB to bereavement, from divorce to family disputes or financial problems, and everything in between.

We act as a free befriending service and act as an intermediary between people in need of support and experts who can provide the best help.

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