Support with loneliness - for farmers
Farming can be one of the most rewarding jobs there is. But it can also be one of the loneliest. Long hours, remote locations, solitary work and the pressure to just crack on - it all adds up.
If you’re feeling lonely, you’re far from alone. Research by the Farm Safety Foundation found that 95% of young farmers agreed that poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing the industry today. In our own survey, 55% of farmers said loneliness and isolation was something they'd like more resources on.
Why farming is lonely
Many farmers report working long hours, not leaving much time for socialising or family. As farms have got larger and fewer, farming families have disappeared from rural communities, leaving those who remain feeling increasingly on their own. And with more business now conducted online rather than face-to-face, the visits and reasons to be out-and-about have quietly disappeared.
Practical tips to help you cope with loneliness
- Pick up the phone. A five-minute call to a friend, family member or neighbour can shift your day. It doesn't have to be about how you feel, just a chat.
- Join an online or in-person group that focuses on a topic that interests you.
- Listen to a podcast or audiobook where the hosts or characters are in conversation with each other
- Learn something new. The Open University offers free online courses on everything from business management to the environment to philosophy.
- Write a letter or even just a text to a friend or family member
- Get outside the farm. Even a short trip to a restaurant or a walk somewhere different can break the cycle. Farming charity RABI’s research shows that leisure time away from work is an essential buffer from work-related stress.
- Your dog counts. Studies consistently show that animals can boost wellbeing, reduce stress and make us feel needed.
If things feel like they're getting on top of you, text HAWKSTONE to 85258. It's free, confidential, anonymous and available 24/7.
