A FARMING mental health charity announced it is increasing its spending on mental health services by up to £10million over the next five years. 

RABI made the announcement at the House of Lords on Wednesday, April 17, in front of around 100 politicians, opinion formers and farming sector leders.

The announcement is part of the charity's year-long Empowering the Worth and Wellbeing of Farming People initiative. The initiative aims to bring together the agricultural sector to find solutions to increase mental resilience of the farming community, as well as making sure parliamentarians are aware of the mental health challenges farmers are facing. 

“RABI see it as imperative that a more preventative approach to mental health and wellbeing is implemented, helping people talk about, identify, and tackle problems long before they become crises," said RABI chief executive, Alicia Chivers. 

South West Farmer:

At the event on April 17, other organisations also pledged support for the initiative: 

  • National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs pledged to use RABI's Click & Chat mental wellbeing platform. After completing a pilot scheme, the hope is this will be rolled out to thousands of Young Farmer Club members aged 11 and over. 
  • Farm Safety Foundation pledged to work with RABI to introduce a new mental health training programme in agricultural colleges. This programme will be backed by ongoing support via access to RABI's Click & Chat online mental wellbeing platform. Together, the two charities will work on a joint funding bid into DEFRA to help support year one of the training and wellbeing programme.
  • TIAH (The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture) pledged to work with RABI on a bursary scheme. RABI will provide 500 bursary-supported memberships, which will provide access to TIAH's training platform for farming people who wouldn't otherwise have the means to utilise the scheme.

To find out more about RABI and how you can make a pledge, click here. 

Farming minster, Sir Mark Spencer, said he was pleased to see a growing awareness of mental health in farming. He pledged to undertake RABI's mental health training at the event.

“I know firsthand the stressors that come with farming and looking out for the welfare of those within the industry, your friends and neighbours and those who you care deeply about is something that we can all do and all participate in," he said. 

“Championing farmers is something I will always do. My final pledge is to make sure that this government and my department continue to value farming people, listen to what you tell us, and be 100% behind you.”