Coping with the pressures of farming workshops

This course is specifically tailored for the farming sector, covering a range of wellbeing issues. Workshops are available across Northern Ireland and are free for farmers and growers, members of the farm family and employees. The workshops can be set up to accommodate the local rural community groups, farming groups, organisations etc.

The workshops aim to create a general awareness of:

* What causes stress and mental wellbeing issues within the farm family

* The signs in oneself or others who may be struggling with their mental wellbeing

* How to listen and be more confident to engage supportively with somebody experiencing difficulty

* The sources of help available to the farming community and how to signpost people towards these

Trainees will be provided with the booklet ‘Coping with the Pressures of Farming’ published by Rural Support and the Health and Safety Executive NI, which offers help and assistance to the farming community in relation to their health and wellbeing, advice on how to cope with the everyday pressures of running a farm and

provides details of professional services.

It is important for all farmers to make their mental health and wellbeing a priority.

Farmers work long hours often in isolation and can become pressurised by financial issues due to the economic downturn, production costs and market volatility.

Farmers are also vulnerable to unpredictable weather conditions. In most cases, a farmer’s place of business is also his or her home, meaning there is no easy way to escape from the workload. All these factors can lead to issues with a farmer’s mental wellbeing.

Course dates available are:

Monday, February 24, Newtownstewart, 7.30pm

Tuesday, February 25, Ballymena, 7.30pm

Tuesday, March 3, Larne, 10.30am

More dates to follow. For more information contact 028 8676 0040, or visit www.cafre.ac.uk/farm-family-key-skills/coping-with-the-pressures-of-farming/