The Mind Your Head Charity Ball took place on Saturday 29th October near Wooler, Northumberland. Organised by Caitlin Riddell, a former young farmer and graduate of Harper Adams University, following her own battle with mental health whilst working in the industry four years ago, the event has raised almost £10,000 for an invaluable charity.

The aim of the Mind Your Head Charity Ball is to raise awareness of the huge mental health crisis within agriculture, as well as raise funds for an invaluable charity offering support to those who are struggling.

“As an industry, agriculture has one of the highest rates of mental health problems and suicide, particularly in young men,” says Caitlin. “Farmers are under so much pressure – financially, environmentally, family pressures, through legislation and even the public’s perception of agriculture. Along with long hours, lone working and very little time off the farm, it can leave people in a desperate situation and it’s up to us all to pull together and tackle this.”

The Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) is the charity behind the Mind Your Head campaign which was established to preserve and protect the mental wellbeing of young farmers and young people moving into agriculture. In its annual tracker research conducted in October last year, 92% of farmers under the age of 40 cited poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today. A 10% increase since 2018. The Office of National Statistics registered 102 suicides in England and Wales by people working in the agricultural related trades in 2019.

Caitlin commented: “The figures are devastating, and the rate at which they are increasing is frightening. Despite mental health awareness having come a long way, unfortunately there is still some stigma attached to it, especially in farming. So often farmers feel they must live up to the stereotype of being tough and resilient which prevents them seeking help.

“I know first-hand how easy it is to bulldoze on and pretend everything is fine. Until it’s not. These charities are a lifeline for a lot of people, and if this event can help spread the message that it’s okay not to be okay and encourage even one person to reach out or start a conversation, then it’s a step in the right direction."

The Farm Safety Foundation is instrumental in targeting the mental health crisis within the industry and, whilst talking about mental health and suicide in farming is tough, it is incredibly important. Often people are unsure of how to approach the subject and are reluctant to intervene, but you don’t have to be a medical professional to help and The Farm Safety Foundation has lots of useful resources available. “It’s not just about encouraging those that are struggling to ask for help, it’s also about raising awareness of how people can look out for one another,” adds Caitlin. “We often hear the phrase ‘I didn’t know’, and that is why it’s so important for people to be better informed of the signs of mental health problems.”