Nuffield scholar addresses stress management for Irish farmers

Joe Leonard’s 2014 Nuffield research, sponsored by Dairymaster, LIC and the Peter Daly Trust, shows that the best way to deal with mental health issues in the farming community is to incorporate the issue into agricultural education.

“We need to develop an education module to highlight mental health and safety to agriculture students and farmers,” said Leonard. “It is better to talk about welfare rather than mental health – it engages more people.”

Joe is a farmer from Stamullen, Co Meath, and his research set out to identify the major controllable stressors of farming life. He highlighted the need to react to stressors early.

“Early recognition and intervention will to lead to an easier and more successful outcome,” he said.

Leonard found that managing stress involves the ability to cope with or lessen the physical and emotional effects of everyday pressures and challenges. He highlighted a need to be able to socialise and get away from the farm: “When times are hard is not the time to go looking to build a network – surround yourself with a strong family and friend structure at all times.”

Planning to reduce stress

He also found that succession planning and intergenerational relationships need to be tackled in an open manner early in the career of the succeeding generation.

“Realistic goal-setting and proper planning helps to identify a clear path to achieving one’s ambitions,” said Leonard. “The clarity of vision helps to insulate against stress caused by unforeseen events.”

By giving young farmers an insight into the sort of challenges they will face in starting out in business, they will be better equipped to overcome these issues. Farmers are more likely to talk about their problems to support personnel who have a strong rural connection.

“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” Leonard added.

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Dealing with stress on the farm