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Motivational parents have asked farmers to take a moment to contemplate the importance of safety and well-being with the upcoming Mind Your Head campaign just weeks away.

This year will mark the Farm Safety Foundation's tenth Mind Your Head campaign - taking place during February 12 to 16 - to raise awareness of protecting the physical and mental well-being of those living and working in the sector.

According to research, 94 per cent of UK farmers under 40 rank poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today.  

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Andy and Lynda Eadon have raised awareness of mental health in the farming community and, in the process, raised thousands of pounds for charity after the death of their son Len in 2022.

Mrs Eadon has requested farmers, families, livestock markets, young farmers clubs, universities and colleges to host a ‘Big Farming Tea Break' as an opportunity to get the industry talking about health and safety.

"Since Len died at the age of 22, we have talked to many families and communities who have also lost loved ones, sharing the overwhelming heartbreak and surrounding impact of losing a loved one," she added.

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"In the midst of adversity, we have made it our mission to bring communities together, to get people talking and champion British farming.

"Everyone has a voice, a value, a family and a community to be part of and, ultimately, to be proud of.

"Respect is something we all desire and deserve, and is the mainstay of positive mental health.

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"So, I urge you to come together to be positive and proud of our industry.

"We need to talk about how we are really feeling."

Stephanie Berkeley, manager at the Farm Safety Foundation, has advocated for more action to be taken in the sector with ‘thousands of farmers' struggling with long term ill-health and poor mental health in the industry.

She added: "Urgent action is needed to support the ongoing mental health of our farmers.

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"We need to take the pressure off these rural support groups and charities who are increasingly relied upon to provide support for those in crisis situations."

Mr and Mrs Eadon confirmed they will be at the NFU Headquarters, Stoneleigh, on the evening of February 12 and at the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Club, Westminster, on February 14 from 10am to help spearhead the campaign.

Urgent action needed on farmers mental health

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