Half of all work-related health is down to stress, depression of anxiety.

According to the Farm Safety Foundation, 95% of young farmers say poor mental health is the biggest hidden danger in farming today.

There are three main reasons employers should look to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health; it’s the law, it’s good for business and it’s the right thing to do.

No matter the size of the business, the law requires all employers to prevent work related stress to support good mental health in the workplace. Failing to manage stress at work can cost employers in reduced productivity, sickness absence, or even losing a valued member of the team.

Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, Stephanie Berkeley said: “Physical and mental health need to have equal air-time because they’re so importantly linked. We know from our research that for 94 per cent of young farmers poor mental health is the biggest hidden danger in farming today and that’s why we’re joining up with the Health and Safety Executive on this very valuable campaign.”

WHERE TO BEGIN

We need to make it routine to talk about stress and mental health at work. That means making sure that risks of stress and mental ill–health are factored into health and safety risk assessments at an organisational level and acted upon.

• Sign up to free online learning to learn how
• download a risk assessment template and see some examples
• download a Talking Toolkit to help structure conversations
• print out / share our campaign resources round up
• print out / display our Working Minds 5 steps poster
• sign up to the monthly e-bulletin.

For specific advice on stress and mental health for those working in the agriculture sector visit: Farm Safety Foundation / Yellow Wellies, where you can get a copy of the The Little Book of Minding Your Head.

What if you were enjoying a day out at an agricultural show and saw a young farmer standing blindfolded carrying a large sign saying “95% of young farmers in the UK say that poor mental health is the biggest hidden danger in the industry. If you agree, give me a hug or take a flower.”