Farming charity calls for life-saving conversations following 47 suicides in 2024

The terrifying news comes as The Farm Safety Foundation says that UK farmers’ mental wellbeing has fallen to its lowest level in four years.

The latest ONS figures showed 47 suicides were registered in England & Wales among the farming and agricultural industry in 2024.

And that mental wellbeing among UK farmers over 40 years old hits four-year low.

Meanwhile wellbeing among farmers aged 61+ has seen the sharpest decline - historically the most resilient group.

The research also revealed that mental wellbeing measured in 765 farmers across the UK lags that of the UK general population.

• The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), a member of The Royal Foundation’s National Suicide Prevention Network (NSPN), is collaborating with fellow NSPN member Baton of Hope to launch a farming-themed digital suicide awareness and prevention package.

This initiative is supported by The Royal Foundation’s £1 million funding to drive innovation and delivery in suicide prevention.

With farmer wellbeing at its lowest point in four years, The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) today launches its ninth annual Mind Your Head week with a bold mission: tackling suicide risk in UK agriculture.

Running from 9–13 February 2026, the campaign calls on farmers, rural organisations, colleges and Young Farmers Clubs to start life-saving conversations, learn practical skills and connect communities to support - addressing what many now recognise as the industry’s “biggest hidden problem.”

Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, said: “Over the past nine years, we have made significant strides in raising awareness and improving education around mental health. However, when it comes to suicide prevention, progress has been far more limited.

“While agriculture in the UK benefits from rural support groups and charities who deliver vital, high-quality support, a critical gap remains: there is still very little suicide prevention training tailored specifically for those working in agriculture.

“Farming brings a unique set of pressures - long hours, isolation, financial uncertainty, generational expectations and physical risk.

"Conversations about suicide in rural communities require approaches that are real, relatable and rooted in lived experience.

"Without training designed for the realities of agricultural life, we risk leaving those most vulnerable without the tools they need to recognise warning signs and intervene effectively.”

Stephanie added: “Farming is tough. Long hours, hard graft and a mindset that says ‘just get on with it.’

“That grit is admirable - but it is also why some farmers leave it too late to ask for help.

“As we enter 2026, we want to address the issue of suicide awareness and prevention.

“Too many farming families are quietly carrying the weight of crisis and loss. The message this year is simple: learn the steps, start conversations earlier and look out for each other. When communities know what to say and what to do, lives can be saved.”

During the week the charity will be launching a new ‘Suicide Awareness & Prevention’ eLearning module, funded by The Royal Foundation and developed with Baton of Hope, tailored specifically to a farming audience.

Built on best practice and practical scenarios, the course will equip learners to recognise warning signs, use supportive, non-judgmental language, and create simple safety plans - with clear signposting to the specialist help available in the sector.

Karen Hodgson, Associate Director at The Royal Foundation said: “We are proud to support this project, led by two of the National Suicide Prevention Network’s partners.

"It is great to see collaboration in action, bringing innovative approaches to suicide prevention and reaching communities that need it most. This work will make a real difference to those living and working rural communities across the UK.”

For more information on the Mind Your Head campaign please visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow them on social media - @yellowwelliesUK on Facebook, Instagram and X using the hashtag #MindYourHead.