Mental health group set up to support farmers

A newly launched mental health support group on the Isle of Man is set to be run by "farmers who understand farmers" and the challenges they face, a founder has said.

Launched by the Manx National Farmers' Union, the Greener Grass group said those in the industry were facing loneliness, increasing costs and more paperwork.

Sam Morrey said the group would offer anyone who was struggling a confidential conversation with mental health first aiders who have a background in the industry.

Sarah Comish from the union said the "collective pressures" were having a negative impact on the industry and "we want to contribute to better overall wellbeing".

"We don't want people to find themselves in a crisis, we want to offer support before they get to that point, she said.

The group has been launched to coincide with the Yellow Wellies charity's annual Mind Your Head campaign, which encourages more open conversations about mental health in the sector.

Six members of the union from across the island received mental health first aid training with the Manx charity Isle Listen.

Ms Comish said farmers worked "long hours, often on their own" and were facing "increasing financial pressures and have more paperwork than ever to do".

"Although a lot of it still remains hidden and isn't talked about, there is absolutely a need for extra support," she said.

While the group had been set up by the union, it was "separate" and "everything discussed is confidential", she added.

Mr Morrey said "even burley farmers who you think can take on the world struggle" had themselves been "struggling quietly".

Those who had received the training had "weathered the storms and we have seen the challenges first hand", he said.

"We can understand the stresses and try to point you in the right direction for help," he added.

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