51AVÊÓÆµ

From the editor: Ben Briggs - 'Health and well-being still a no-go topic for too many'

Poor mental health and speaking about it remains a huge stigma for many people in the farming community.

Ben Briggs
Ben Briggs is the group publisher and editor in chief of Agriconnect, overseeing the media business and titles such as Farmers Guardian, Dairy Farmer and Arable Farming.
clock • 2 min read
From the editor: Ben Briggs - 'Health and well-being still a no-go topic for too many'

Poor mental health and speaking about it remains a huge stigma for many people in the farming community.

Whether we like it or not, it remains an uncomfortable topic and one which causes many to switch off and ignore the issue.

There has been progress, of course, with many younger people seeing it as a priority and happy to talk about their challenges in the open.

You only have to look at social media to realise that it is, for many, something they are happy to chat about and share their views on.

But we should not kid ourselves that mental health has been completely taken off the farming industry taboo list. For many it remains firmly on that list, along with other topics, and is something many farmers or farming families do not want to tackle head on.

It is a tricky subject, with the notion of poor mental health playing into feelings of weakness or shame for many who suffer from it and they are, therefore, afraid to seek help in what remains a traditional part of society.

But it should not be that way. As with physical health problems, seeking help is the first step to finding a solution and the stigma surrounding mental health problems is something that the farming needs to overcome.

That is why the work of the 51AVÊÓÆµSafety Foundations Mind Your Head campaign is so important. By harnessing mental health ambassadors and respected farming charities and organisations, it is able to shine a light on the issue and allow people to get the help they often so desperately need.

Farmer health and well-being is a major issue for agriculture and yet, while it is something discussed and promoted at the upper echelons of the industry, getting farmers to actually be proactive about their physical or mental health remains a challenge.

Far too often farmers only seek help for health problems when it is too late, with the consequences of that inaction sometimes being fatal. Seeking help is never a weakness and farming still needs a mindset change when it comes to personal well-being.

More on 51AVÊÓÆµLife

Oxford Farming Conference 2026: a quick guide to this year's event

Oxford Farming Conference 2026: a quick guide to this year's event

Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds makes her conference debut as farmers and industry members discuss the fututre of farming

clock 06 January 2026 • 2 min read
Newcastle United fans urged to pay tribute to devoted farmer and supporter

Newcastle United fans urged to pay tribute to devoted farmer and supporter

The family of a late farmer and agricultural journalist have asked Newcastle United supporters to commemorate the life of Bruce Jobson with a minute's applause in the eighth minute of their match with Leeds United on Wednesday (January 7)

Chris Brayford
clock 06 January 2026 • 3 min read
MP demands Gov release IHT impact assessment

MP demands Gov release IHT impact assessment

Efra chair Alistair Carmichael says while changes to family farm tax are welcome, more needs to be done to protect single farmers

clock 06 January 2026 • 3 min read