Dairy Farmer Joe shares how he protects his mental health
Joe Delves, a third-generation dairy farmer based in Sussex, speaks openly about the mental health challenges he has faced and the ways he has learned to cope. He reflects on his journey out of depression, sharing practical advice passed down from his grandmother, the support he found in joining a local dairy farmer group, and the unexpected benefits of taking time off to recharge.
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Whether you're working on your own or working with loads of people, I do think it just comes back to your ability to self-reflect. If you're alone in your farming and you've got to the point where you're not hearing the birds singing on a nice day and you're not maybe enjoying a warm breeze when it turns up, then you're probably just a bit busy and you need to, like, stop and have a cup of tea and sit in your field and just enjoy what you've actually got.
Joe expands on the realities of running a modern dairy farm, from the constant pressure of long hours and financial uncertainty to the isolation that can come with working largely on your own. He describes how these pressures gradually built up, affecting both his mental health and his outlook on the job he once loved. Opening up about that turning point, he explains how small, practical changes—like setting clearer boundaries between work and rest, staying connected with others in the industry, and recognising early warning signs—have helped him regain a sense of balance.
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Farming can be quite a lonely place if you let it be—but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
He also touches on the importance of normalising conversations around mental health in farming communities, encouraging others to speak up and seek support before reaching crisis point. Throughout, his story highlights that resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs, but about knowing when to pause, reflect, and make space for recovery.
