Mental health has been defined as “the emotional and spiritual resilience which enables us to survive pain, disappointment and sadness.” It is a positive sense of wellbeing and self-esteem which influences how we think and feel about ourselves and others; how we see the world around us; how we communicate with others, and how we form and sustain relationships.
Mental health issues can be experienced by anyone. Mental stress affects us all differently and is also influenced by social and environmental factors as well as by the level of support we receive from those around us.
A guide to looking after yourself and others
Every Life Matters with the support of Cumbria County Council have developed a very useful booklet about looking after yourself and people around you. It has a lot of information about areas such as lifting your mood and managing your stress bucket. Access it below.
Counselling Directory
When you are going through a difficult time, it can be very easy to keep your worries to yourself and believe that you are the only one experiencing such painful feelings. While we all have our own ways of coping, information and support can make a huge difference.
Counselling Directory was set up by a team who know how difficult it can be to find the support and information you need. You can search for a counsellor near you on their website. To find out more click here
The Hill Farmer
Watch this short film by the Somerset Mental Health in Agriculture Group (of which FCN is a member) which highlights the vital role of support organisations and charities in helping farmers during challenging times and supporting mental health and wellbeing.
The film, titled ‘The Hill Farmer’, features Oliver Edwards, a well-known Exmoor farmer, telling his story of dealing with pressures on the farm at the same time as battling a diagnosis of colon cancer. This took an enormous toll on Oliver’s mental health, and he had suicidal thoughts.
Initially Oliver found getting help difficult, as he shut himself off from others and didn’t want to burden those around him. Thankfully, his diagnosis served as a ‘wake-up call’, which motivated him to ask for help. Click here to watch.
- Anxiety and depression
- Every Mind Matters
- Isolation and loneliness
- Identifying, managing and minimising stress
- Substance Misuse
- Suicide
- Suicide prevention
- Talking Therapies
AHDB webinar with FCN
The AHDB & FCN joint webinar discusses our widening awareness of mental health for those working in and with the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
The webinar also includes NFU member and County Chair for Lancashire, Olly Harrison, talking about the work being done to break down the barriers around mental health.
How to start a conversation about mental health: click here.