Mental Health in Agriculture in the time of Climate Change.

This week marks Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Week. The mental health of farmers is something you hear only when tragedy happens. Mental illness is still stigmatising in rural communities with farmers reluctant to contact the health services (even if there is one). Farming nowadays is burdened with pressure from nature, society and economy. It takes toll on body, mind & family. There is a lot that distinguishes farming from other professions. The prime one is: there's no life-work balance, for farmers - it is a life on duty 24/7/365 days.

This week we spread awareness to the public on the worsening state of farmers mental health, the stigma and desperate need of inclusion of mental wellbeing debate into a mainstream conversation about sustainable agriculture.

We seem to talk much more about animal welfare & ethical food nowadays. The talk about mental wellbeing of people who feed us is virtually non-existent. Sustainable transformation of agriculture should include adequate mental health and social support to people who produce our food!

Suicides, Stress, Anxiety & Depression...

are rising rural concern in countries who trace the problem. Sadly not all of the countries do. A recent systematic review (2019) of the research done on the subject of farmer's mental health, staggeringly reveals that Europe is missing the adequate assessment of the problem (with few notable exceptions of UK and Norway) let alone a common policy of support. (!) However, the existing research from 27 countries across the world, exposes a grim picture of the state of mental health in farming community. Suicides are among key concerns. Farmers are among occupations those most likely die of suicides. It is not a new trend but a shocking increase was noted recently in US with CDC reporting more than 34% jump in last decade alone.

Stress is the key problem. Contrary to public belief, the farming life is not idyllic and tranquil and farmer is not a stoic and self-reliant, happy-go-lucky personality. Stress, as a consequence of person's subjective reaction to environmental demands (stressors), plays major roles on quality of farmer's mental wellbeing. Those stressors differ significantly between urban, rural and farming populations. Ironically, stress levels were shown to be higher for farmers who diversify their operation within or between crop or livestock. To better visualise the problem we should consider that 89% of farmers report work overload as major source of stress, as opposed to 51% of executives. Anxiety and depression are another major mental health problems proved to significantly reduce the quality of mental health. In 2016 The HUNT study conducted in Norway revealed that farming population showed significantly higher depression levels and somewhat higher anxiety levels than other occupations. The differences increase with age.

Climate Change & Sustainable Transformation

To recognise the seriousness of problem we need to understand its causes. In 1987, Lilly Schubert Walker and James L. Walker conducted a study identifying the key stressors impacting mental health of farming community. I call them here the farm stressors, as they relate to the specific occupational lifestyle. Among the complex map of farm stressors, the few stood out: the wide seasonal variations, work overload, varying work requirements, strained physical health, irregular and unpredictable income, substantial investment risks, relative isolations, poor support system. That study is over 30 years old and the problems the farmers are facing only pile up adding on climate change threats & food supply chain dysfunctions: extreme weather events, weather pattern instability, threats to crops & livestock, (often unfair) competition from big-scale corporate "farming", declining income and increasing expenses. On top of this farming community experiences declining public support and trust as a result of relatively radical pressure on sustainable transformation and poor support in doing so. The trend leads to increasing social isolation of farming community and results in declining understanding of mutual needs. It should be noted here, that the problem of stress and anxiety might be exacerbated in future even more. With the rapid progress towards less invasive and more biodiversity-friendly techniques, the difference in sense of control from the traditional methods can be impactful. We need to be aware that sustainable transformation in farming is also a long process that will add to farmer's lives even more stress, pressure and uncertainty. Nature can be capricious. With current weather patterns adding rapid variability and higher frequency of extreme events, the risk farmers take, will more likely resemble a gamble than a investment. We as the public, need to keep it in mind. Farming community takes majority of the climate change impact and is at the same time the key to our sustainable future. For now, we are asking many farmers for a considerable personal sacrifice without providing them with proper social & mental health support. It needs to change if we really want to look down on our plates guilt-free.

Improvements

The quality of mental health of farmers cannot be ignored anymore. We need to discuss how we can investigate the problem and why the research NEEDS to inform the EU-wide policies. The bottom-line improvements should include:

• Mental health literacy education & awareness.

• EU-wide program, dedicated clinical research adjusted for occupational and climate challenges in farming populations.

• Awareness among rural population on recognition of mental illness and distress symptoms.

• Tackling the loneliness and social isolation with community support networks.

• Removal of stigma surrounding rural perception of mental health.

• Development of dedicated mental health services, mental health first-aid and easier access to counselling.

• Social & educational support in sustainable transformation.

• Public education on realities of farming-life.

Something to think about.

IMS,

PS. All references to literature are linked within the post.

PPS. If you feel you need to talk to someone or suspect that you suffer from mental health illness please do not be afraid or hesitate to contact services or local branch of NGOs' like Samaritans for a confidential & non-judgemental conversation.

PPPS. If you would like to use this text or know more about available literature please contact me via email or Twitter.