Reaseheath College agriculture students took time away from their studies to chat about their mental wellbeing and learn about the support available for farming communities at a Big Farming Tea Break.
The event, held at the Nantwich college on Wednesday during Mind Your Head Week, (February 12-16) was part of a nationwide initiative to bring farmers and growers together to share their worries and to encourage them to focus on the positive aspects of British farming and food production.
The tea break was the idea of Warwickshire farmers Andy and Lynda Eadon, who sadly and unexpectedly lost their son Leonard to suicide at the age of 22. Wednesday was particularly poignant, as it would have been Len’s 25th birthday. His parents, who have launched Len’s Light as his legacy, are on a mission to bring rural communities together and called on colleges, universities, Young Farmers Clubs and Livestock Markets to mark Len’s birthday by hosting an event during Mind Your Head Week.
The initiative was supported by the Livestock Auctioneers Association and held in collaboration with the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), which this year marks 10 years of supporting farming communities.
A new report by the Farm Safety Foundation has revealed 95% of farmers in the UK under 40 say poor mental health is one of the biggest hidden problems they face. Livestock viruses, bad weather, loneliness, changing policies, financial uncertainty and the stigma of struggling emotionally are among current challenges.
However, the National Farmers Union points out that there is much to be celebrated about British farming, including the excellence of its produce and high standards of animal welfare. Another positive is that there are signs of a culture change, where talking about mental health is becoming more accepted, and help is readily available.
At Reaseheath, T Level Agriculture first year students watched a short presentation and then shared their own experiences over a cuppa and slice of home made cake.
Susan Huxley, Curriculum Area Manager, Academy of Land and Environment, said: “It’s important that young people are comfortable to talk about their concerns, particularly as bottling up feelings has a proven link to poor mental health. We have also been able to highlight the help available at all times, either through Reaseheath’s Student Health and Wellbeing Service or through the Farming Community Network and other dedicated helplines
“This event has been very successful, and hopefully our students will now be more resilient and better prepared to progress in their careers.”
T Level student Oli Wilson, who is Chair of Reaseheath’s Farmers’ Society and also Class Representative,added: “It has been good to raise awareness of the signs of poor mental health and the value of talking about problems. In the past this is a subject which hasn’t been spoken about enough.
“We also received very useful information about who to go to if we do have worries. We know the wellbeing officers at Reaseheath are always on hand and that any problem will be treated confidentially, and that the Farming Community Network is available too. So there’s no need to feel alone.”
For more information see:
www.reaseheath.ac.uk/wellbeing www.leneadon.muchloved.com
Farming community network www.fcn.org.uk
