Many things are involved when it comes to farming. This is because farming is often glamourised as an enchanting and visually pleasing way of life, intimately linked to the earth and its natural elements. Although this portrayal may hold true in several aspects, it often obscures the harsh realities and psychological obstacles that farmers must confront and live with. The seclusion, monetary burdens, and changeable nature of farming can significantly impact their emotional welfare and productivity.
This piece would delve into mental health issues that plague farmers and underscore the significance of addressing this unspoken struggle. What is mental health? Mental health can be referred to the emotional, psychological and social well-being of the people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well, work well, and contribute to their community. According to a farmer and mental health practitioner, who prefers to simply be called Ayojesu, various mental health concerns affect farmers. She said that "As a farmer, our daily challenges are quite diverse; we deal with unpredictable weather conditions, pests that threaten our crops, constant need for manual labour, additionally there is financial uncertainty since our income depends on factors beyond our control. Despite these challenges, providing food for people is a rewarding aspect of farming”.
Ayojesu went further by discussing common signs or symptoms associated with mental health issues among farmers as well as how best they could be recognised or managed, to include social isolation: Farmers may become increasingly isolated from their communities due to the demands of their work. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Recognising this can involve actively reaching out to fellow farmers or joining local farming groups to stay connected. This is because many farmers live and work at the same place with little chance to escape workload and benefit from a change of scenery to offer that needed breathing space. This was the touchy case of Katie Davies, a widow to a farmer, who allegedly took his own life, while speaking with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), having admitted that farming can be a “really isolated industry”.
Chronic stress: The unpredictability of weather, crop yields, and market prices can bring about chronic stress. Physical symptoms like headaches, sleep disturbances, or changes in appetite may be signs that all is not well. To address this, farmers have been advised to practice stress management techniques such as meditation or yoga.
Financial worries: Economic pressures in farming has been found to be a source of anxiety and depression. Farmers, who constantly worry about debt or financial difficulties, may require financial counselling and equally explore alternative income sources.
Fatigue and burnout: The physical demands of farming can lead to exhaustion and burnout. Farmers may start to lose interest in their work and addressing this may involve taking breaks and seeking help from family, especially when such situations can no longer be managed.
Substance abuse: Farmers are prone to alcoholism or drugs to enable them cope with stress. This addiction can be seen by changes in behaviour or neglect of responsibilities. Encouraging open conversations about substance use and seeking professional help, is crucial, to avoid degeneration.
Unexplained physical symptoms: Mental health issues manifest as physical symptoms like stomach aches or body aches for farmers. It is vital to consult a healthcare professional to rule out physical causes and the possibility of underlying mental health concerns.
Changes in sleep patterns: Insomnia or excessive sleep can be indicative of mental health issues that should raise concerns. Farmers should maintain regular sleep schedule and seek help, if sleep disturbance persists, she added.
Loss of interest: A sudden loss of interest in farming or other activities that were once enjoyable can be a sign of depression. This position is corroborated in the study by BMC Psychiatry, ‘Engaging the agricultural community in the development of mental health.
interventions: A qualitative research study’, farmers and those involved in the wider agricultural industry were found to have a high suicide rate. Farm Safety Foundation, has revealed that 81% of farmers aged 40 say mental ill-health is the biggest hidden problem being faced today, as 92% of farmers now report that the promotion of good mental health is key for them. The American Psychiatric Association has stated further that mental illness can be associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.
What is the way out? There are a number of approaches that farmers can look at, such as seeking professional help: In Nigeria, there are mental health services and organisations that can provide needed support and guidance. Recognising and addressing mental health issues in farming communities is essential to ensure the well- being of farmers by encouraging open conversations, providing support networks, and reducing the stigma around mental health that can go a long way at helping farmers cope with these challenges, Ayojesu further said.
Joining farmers’ associations: Many farmers’ associations and cooperatives in Nigeria offer support to their members, including counselling services and having access to information on managing stress and mental health.
Agricultural extension services: Government and non-governmental organisations often provide extension services that can include mental health awareness programmes and counselling for farmers at their low moments. No doubt, maintaining good emotional stability is as important as having the right physical wellness. Hence, seeking help does not signify weakness, but rather, it requires having the strength to face challenges, just as creating supportive environments can promote open conversations by reducing unnecessary stigmatisation that people attach to mentally-challenged individuals.
As observed in the publication titled, ‘Africa farmers’ health: Mental health’, the supportive environments and interventions should address the emotional needs in building resilience of farmers such that healing can take place after a traumatic experience. Furthermore, every intervention project should incorporate psychosocial support, as a component of the project implementation, especially for farmers and other agricultural value chain actors, such that bouncing back, like what happened during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown, which reportedly triggered a lot of depression among farmers, can be possible in attaining food security, especially when our farmers are mentally strong. In the final analysis, farmers must always ensure that they strike a balance between sound health and an active work life.
