Harper in support of #MindYourHead

Harper Adams is supporting this year’s Mind Your Head campaign organised by leading farming charity, the Farm Safety Foundation. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of an issue that few in the industry want to talk about but that affects one in four people in the world at some point in their lives.

Farmers and their families face the same issues that everyone faces but there are a unique set of stressors in the industry: weather, market fluctuations, loneliness, long hours etc. that compound everyday pressures. Farming continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK and, given the hazards and risks faced by farmers every day, being in the wrong headspace when working on a busy farm can, in fact, lead to life-changing or life-ending accidents.

According to recent research carried out by the Farm Safety Foundation, 88% of farmers under 40 now rate poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem faced by farmers (an increase from 81% in 2018). The UK-wide survey of 450 young farmers also revealed that 89% believe that talking about the issue will remove the stigma attached to it.

With many of the support networks for farmers being closed as a result of lockdown, it is imperative to stay connected and take notice of those in the farming community, whether family or friends, who may be struggling with their mental health and make an effort to learn more about the issue so we can offer the right support.

This is the focus of this year's Mind Your Head campaign.

For more information on ‘Mind Your Head’ visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow @yellowwelliesUK on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram.