Suffolk Farmers urged to start “life-saving conversations” as mental well-being hits four-year low
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show 47 suicides were registered among farming and agricultural workers in England and Wales in 2024.
Farmers are being encouraged to look out for one another and seek support as new research suggests mental well-being across the industry has fallen to its lowest level in four years.
The warning comes as the Farm Safety Foundation, also known as Yellow Wellies, launches its annual Mind Your Head campaign, which is running until the 13th of February and focuses on suicide awareness and prevention within agriculture.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show 47 suicides were registered among farming and agricultural workers in England and Wales in 2024, a seven per cent increase compared to 2022.
"One suicide is one too many"
Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, said the charity’s biggest concern was the continued loss of life.
“The biggest worry for us is actually that one suicide is one too many,” she said. “The Mind Your Head campaign over the last eight years has been challenging stigma around mental health itself in the industry… but now we know that is changing. However, those conversations around suicide and that suicide prevention education are still not happening, and certainly not happening to the same extent.”
Research involving 765 farmers found overall wellbeing lagged behind that of the general UK population, with the sharpest decline seen among those aged over 61, historically considered one of the sector’s most resilient groups.
"They don’t think that they’re the most important thing on the farm"
Berkeley said the nature of farming can make it difficult for workers to prioritise their own health.
“Farming’s not a profession, it’s a way of life, but it’s actually isolating, it’s hard work, and it’s that grit that makes farmers just get on with it,” she said. “But unfortunately, actually, that grit keeps many people too quiet for too long… they don’t think that they’re the most important thing on the farm. It’s the animal, it’s the machinery, it’s not them, but they are the most important thing on the farm.”
"That conversation has the chance to protect people and save lives"
The charity is working with partners through the National Suicide Prevention Network and has developed a suicide awareness e-learning module aimed at young farmers to help them recognise warning signs and feel more confident starting difficult conversations.
Berkeley said hearing directly from those with lived experience was key to changing attitudes.
“Farmers listen to farmers,” she said. “When they hear from a real farmer who may have experienced a situation similar to how they’re feeling at this moment in time, that’s when they sit up… that conversation has the chance to protect people and save lives.”
She added that while farming has always faced pressures such as extreme weather, rising costs and financial uncertainty, problems can escalate when stress exceeds a person’s capacity to cope.
“Farmers are resilient, but sometimes it just means when their capacity for stress is exceeded, that is when it can spill over into depression, anxiety, and sadly, suicidal thoughts. But that is when we need to be ready to go and look after our own.”
Support available
Support is available through a network of rural charities, crisis lines and counselling services, she said, stressing that no one should feel isolated.
“You’re not alone,” Berkeley added. “Your issues may be very personal and specific to yourself, but other people are going through something possibly similar… make sure that you’re putting support networks in place… and also look out for others.”
She said there were signs of growing national awareness, with cross-party politicians attending a recent parliamentary event on farming mental health and discussions taking place with senior medical leaders about improving rural access to care.
Here in Suffolk
Local farmer Peter Havis, who runs a pig farm near Eye, echoed the importance of community support and awareness of available help.
“Know where our neighbours are, who they are, try and chat to them, look out for them,” he said. “Know the Farming Community Network (FCN) exists and find their number and give us a ring. There’s Yana available, there’s RABI available… some other charities around that are there to chat and to talk and to help you through whatever story in life you’re going through in the farming industry.”
Havis is also taking part in outreach with schools to raise the profile of British farming and encourage families to support the sector.
“That’s another way of supporting our farmers: buy British, buy British food,” he said.
The Farm Safety Foundation says this year’s campaign will centre on education, resilience and compassion, with the overall aim of strengthening support networks and preventing suicide across rural communities.
Support:
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available via NHS services, Samaritans on 116 123, or specialist rural support organisations. In an emergency, always call 999.