MP Sarah Dyke champions mental health in the farming community
Tackling the hidden mental health crisis in the farming community, bringing hope and healthcare to the heart of rural life
The Frome Livestock Market’s rural health hub, recently visited by Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, offers a lifeline to those in the agricultural sector. Sarah the Liberal Democrat MP for the area talked to its team of wellbeing practitioners and nurses about their work. Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, free, confidential NHS health checks are available to all farming and agricultural workers and their families, no matter where they live, at the health hub.
Farming can be a very isolating and lonely occupation, with many farmers working long hours. Farmers can be under significant financial pressure, needing to take on considerable debt to purchase the land and equipment they require. In most cases, a farmer’s place of business is also his or her home, meaning there is no easy way to get away from the workload. In addition, farmers are constantly vulnerable to events and circumstances that can impact their bottom line, from weather and natural disasters to international trade disputes.
A recent study by the Farm Safety Foundation revealed that poor mental health among farmers and agricultural workers is of growing concern. In a sample of 450 farmers under the age of 40, respondents almost universally agreed that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry today.
Ms Dyke said: “As the daughter and sister of farmers, the mental and physical health of those working in the farming community is of particular importance to me. I’m delighted to visit the rural health hub here at Frome Livestock Market and to find out more about the vital work its staff are doing. They’re committed to putting healthcare at the heart of a community that’s traditionally been hard to reach. My brother was at the market today, selling some sheep, and I was able to encourage him to go to the health hub to get a check-up.
“Market day isn’t just a business opportunity for farmers. It’s very much a social event, a chance to get together with friends and to relieve the isolation of farm life. Encouraging farmers to open up about how they’re feeling and to address any niggling health concerns while they’re in this familiar setting is a fantastic idea. The Liberal Democrats have a very strong record on mental health, which we believe is every bit as important as physical health. I’ve been working hard with the Farm Safety Foundation over recent months to raise awareness of the particular challenges faced by the farming community and I’ll continue championing innovative projects such as this one in Somerton and Frome.”
