Farmer mental health and psychological flexibility

The arrival of spring, while offering renewal and growth, introduces distinct challenges for farmers. Recent insights from the Agri Mental Health Group at UCD highlights the critical role of psychological flexibility in reducing stress, anxiety, and low mood among farmers. Psychological flexibility is like being mentally agile or adaptable. Imagine your mind as a flexible tree that bends in the wind but doesn’t break. It’s about being able to handle your thoughts and feelings in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you and being open to change. Instead of getting stuck on one way of thinking or feeling, you can adjust and move forward even when life throws you curveballs. It means facing life’s ups and downs with an open mind, making room for the tough stuff without letting it control you, and choosing actions that align with what’s truly important to you.
For farmers, spring can be an extremely busy period full of concerns over weather, lambing, calving and crop planting. These worries can lead to overwhelm. However, cultivating psychological flexibility can provide critical support during these times. The Agri Mental Health Group at UCD has identified three helpful strategies to foster this adaptability, tailored to the farming context during spring, and these are: be open, be aware, and be active.

Be open

Recognise that feeling anxious or worried is a natural part of the farming process. Instead of pushing these emotions away, greet them with openness and curiosity. This approach allows you to move through your emotions with understanding, enabling you to focus on what you can control and act despite the presence of fear.

Be aware

During the busy spring season, it’s easy to lose sight of the here and now, which can amplify stress. Make a conscious effort to stay present. Take moments to really feel the soil between your fingers, look at the new life on the farm and listen to the sounds around you. This mindfulness can help ground you in the moment, reducing stress and enhancing your focus on the tasks at hand. It’s common to be preoccupied with concerns about having enough feed, ensuring lambs and calves are born alive, getting crops in the ground or bad weather. Practice seeing these thoughts for what they are – just thoughts. Imagine them as a background radio noise that you don’t have to engage with. By labelling these thoughts (e.g., “Station Worry” or “Station Anxiety”), you can acknowledge their presence without allowing them to dictate your actions. This awareness helps in recognising that these thoughts are transient and don’t have to prevent you from doing what is important.

Be active

Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you in your role as a farmer. Whether it’s being a good farmer, sustainability, contributing to your community, or leaving a legacy, let these core values guide your actions and decisions. This connection to your deeper purpose can provide clarity and direction, especially when faced with the uncertainties of the season.
By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you can enhance your psychological flexibility, making it easier to adapt to the challenges of farming with resilience and purpose.

STUDY

A new study is underway by the UCD Agri Mental Health Group, funded by FBD, which is aimed at supporting farmers who are currently struggling with mental health and testing the impact of a scalable, culturally competent intervention tailored for farmer stress and mental health. As part of this study, the team at UCD has developed a survey to understand the needs of Irish farmers in terms of mental health supports. Your participation in our survey will greatly contribute to this endeavour, helping us to tailor interventions that truly meet the needs of farmers. 

Remember that farmers’ wellbeing is just as vital to the farm as the soil beneath your feet. If you are struggling, please seek support. Reach out to a family member, neighbour, or friend. Professional help is always available. Don’t hesitate to lean on it when needed.

FBD Farm Multi-Peril policyholders can avail of a confidential counselling service over the phone by calling: 1800 670 407.