YFCU urges members to take part in mental health awareness survey

Mental health within the farming community is often a topic that no one likes to talk about, yet is one of the toughest challenges this community faces – with animal health and welfare often at the top of the agenda rather than that of the farmer or the farm family.

However, the farming community is starting to see some positive changes, and it is becoming much easier to find ways to support mental and emotional wellbeing with the next generation in particular showing a keen interest in this area.

Rory Best, patron of YFCU, is the latest person to throw his support behind raising awareness through the YFCU’s ‘YF See’s U’ campaign, which has seen the organisation focus on mental health. That focus continues with the next phase of its programme - in partnership with Rural Support - which will see 15 Mental Health Mentors from within the clubs delivering support to members across Northern Ireland from Spring 2021.

As part of this an online Mental Health Survey has been developed for its members, the results of which will help the organisation gain a better understanding of the issues and concerns facing those in the younger farming and rural communities. This will then feed into the design of their mental health programme and the training and ongoing mentoring that the Mental Health Mentors will receive.

The survey will run from 4th – 14th November, and YFCU are asking both past and current members to complete the survey which is open to both senior and junior members as well as all clubs across Northern Ireland.

Zita McNaughter, YFCU President said: “YFCU is committed to developing a mental health programme that will provide practical and meaningful support for our membership to help them develop a positive relationship with their mental health. It will help them to help themselves; learn how to get help; and also help others to get help, whatever is appropriate to the situation. The only way we can do that properly is to talk to our young people and find out their views and thoughts. Every members’ voice matters and that is why it is so important that as many people involved with YFCU participate in the survey and speak up, so please get involved.”

Veronica Morris, Chief Executive of Rural Support said: “Rural Support is passionate about helping farming families – and all those within it - to understand better how to look after themselves – both physically and mentally – and is delighted to partner with YFCU to provide training for its mental health mentors and be a support to them over the next three years. This survey will help us to understand better the views and concerns of our young people and ensure that the programme will provide the right support to help them develop resilience and create happy and successful lives, both now and into the future.”

The survey can be found on the YFCU facebook page and website (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YFCU) and the deadline for submission is the 14th November 2020. All information provided to the survey will be treated as confidential, and the results will be key in helping to shape the organisation’s Mental Health Training Programme which will be launched in early 2021. As a small thank you for completing the survey there will be a winner chosen at random who will receive a £50 Voucher.

For more information about YFCU and their Mental Health Awareness Campaign ‘YF See’s U’ please contact Jenny Martin, YFCU Marketing & Communications Executive on 028 90 370 313 or email [email protected].

If you or someone you know would benefit from speaking to Rural Support, please call the freephone helpline on 0800 138 1678.  All calls are confidential, the helpline is available 9am-9pm, Monday to Friday (alternative support options available at all times).