Farmers encouraged to further open up on state of their mental health

Throughout 2021, Aberdeen Samaritans are running a campaign to support the local farming community. As well as regular features in the Press and Journal, they have a joint venture with RGU, the North East Branch of NFUS and local farmers, which has led to a video called Unearthing Farming Lives. See the trailer at https://www. youtube.com/ watch?v=wjwsobxwxng The campaign has been funded in part by LNER. David Horne, LNER managing director, said: “This is an important project that we are keen to support. It will highlight the mental health issues that exist in the agricultural community whilst raising awareness of the Samaritans and the support the organisation can provide for those in need.”

Elaine, previously Aberdeen Samaritans Branch Director, said: “We don’t want you to wait for a crisis; whatever you are going through, we will listen.”

There’s a stereotypical image of a farmer that many people have – a strong, stoic figure who faces everything thrown at them. The fact is that everyone needs support sometimes. It may even be a sign of strength to recognise that support is needed.

Catherine, a Samaritans volunteer who is close to the farming community, said: “Farmers carry a lot on their shoulders – even staying strong to meet other people’s expectations can add a lot of pressure. The work can be affected by weather or market prices or other things out with their control and they spend many hours alone which can lead to feelings of anxiety, loneliness or even anger.”

Even voicing your feelings through calling Samaritans can start to make things feel more manageable. Volunteers have had people tell them that just by saying “I am not coping” they feel an immediate release of the pressure.

Here are some useful points if you are thinking of contacting Samaritans by telephone or email.

• Your call or email will be answered by a trained Samaritans volunteer, ready to listen and respond to you.

• They will listen and perhaps ask some questions.

• A Samaritans volunteer’s role isn’t to tell you what to do, but to help you find your own way through your problems.

• This can take time. That’s why you can call multiple times and you won’t have to share any personal details unless you want to.

Find out more at the Samaritans website at www.samaritans.org.

And if you feel you are struggling, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 (it won’t show up on phone bills), day or night. Alternatively, you can email jo@ samaritans.org

Long hours can leave you feeling lonely, but the need support. Samaritans are available if you