AS PRESSURE piles down on the industry, there are increasing concerns around farmer and crofter wellbeing and mental health.

In a bid to i the problem – and lay the foundations of a new wellbeing programme for 2022/23 – an agricultural partnership has come together to launch a survey examining the needs and concerns of Scotland’s farmers and crofters.

The research is intended to follow on from 2018's successful 'drought, adversity and breaking new ground' tour, which saw over 2000 farmers attend events to hear New Zealand farmer Doug Avery talk about his own challenges with mental health and wellbeing.

After that tour, a steering group was established to review the learnings, chaired by beef, sheep and arable farmer, John Scott of Fearn Farm, Ross-Shire.

“Agriculture is facing unimaginable change that will impact generations and could require complete restructuring of farming practices," said Mr Scott. "Many of these challenges we can’t control, they will happen regardless of how well we rear our livestock, grow our crops or manage our finances.

"This significantly impacts the way we think and farm, it tests our resilience and can, at times, take us down a dark path when we feel overwhelmed, anxious or simply just knackered.

“When Doug visited Scotland, we were astounded by the response, highlighting the appetite from farmers and crofters, to better understand how we can manage our own wellbeing through shared learning, events and resources," he said. "This new survey will give us insights to understand how farmers and crofters are feeling, what type of activities and resources would best support them and how they should be delivered.”

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The survey is supported by Scotland's Rural College, the National Rural Mental Health Forum (run by Support in Mind Scotland), RHASS and the Scottish Government's Rural Network, and aims to provide insights to emulate Farmstrong, New Zealand's successful wellbeing programme that helps farmers to 'live well, to farm well'.

That initiative was designed by farmers for farmers, to provide the resources and proven tools they need to manage their own wellbeing when faced with challenges that are often hard to predict, or control, from fluctuating commodity prices and the weather, to changing government legislation and market pressures.

Commenting on the Scottish survey, Kate Lamont from SRUC noted that it too had been 'designed by farmers, for farmers': "You can answer on your phone, tablet, computer or you can get a paper copy. It would be really good to hear how you cope and what you think would help others.”

Mr Scott added: “Our hope is to launch the 'Farmstrong' model here in Scotland, in 2022/23, developed for farmers by farmers. This research will be integral in ensuring we get it right and offer something that has huge benefits to all those involved, whilst also supporting and partnering with existing organisations and charities.”

To take part in the survey, farmers and crofters should visit www.dougaveryscotland.co.uk before the end of May 2022.