Farmers have heaped reward on the Prince and Princess of Wales for bringing into focus psychological well being points in agriculture.
Prince William and Princess Catherine visited Duchy tenant farmers Sam and Emily Stables at Kings Pitt Farm in Aconbury, Herefordshire, on Thursday 14 September.
The royal couple visited to study extra about We Are Farming Minds, a charity arrange by Mr and Mrs Stables three years in the past to assist assist the psychological well being of farmers.
See additionally: How farmers can take care of psychological well being at instances of stress
Mr Stables was beforehand praised by King Charles for talking overtly about his personal psychological well being struggles previously. The daddy-of-two had deliberate to take his personal life earlier than his mom alerted neighbours, who got here to his help.
His struggles along with his psychological well being led to the formation of the charity, which goals to interrupt the stigma surrounding psychological well being in farming and urges farmers to speak candidly about their issues.
Compassionate
Talking after the go to, Mr Stables mentioned speaking to the royal couple was “like talking to good pals” they usually have been each very enthusiastic about tackling psychological well being points.
“William is a compassionate and understanding particular person; you couldn’t need to converse to a nicer chap,” mentioned Mr Stables.
“I do know we may have a improbable partnership with them. In agriculture, there are difficult instances forward, so to have his assist is wonderful.”
Duchy initiative
Prince William, who inherited the Duchy of Cornwall property and the title Prince of Wales from his father, King Charles, has launched a brand new psychological well being scheme to offer care and assist for all farming tenants of the property.
Kerry McGavin, challenge supervisor at We Are Farming Minds, mentioned: “The Prince and Princess of Wales have been eager to seek out out in regards to the work of the charity and the problems farmers are going through each day over the psychological well being disaster, which is what it’s in farming.
“We have been speaking in regards to the totally different sectors and the way a lot of the farmers we’ve got coming to us for assist are livestock farmers. We don’t see many arable or poultry farmers.
“Farming has one of many highest suicide charges of all of the industries. In Herefordshire alone, 5 farmers have taken their very own lives previously 12 months.
“Farmers are underneath monumental stress and with the BPS fee scheme going, it’s simply going to worsen.”
The royal couple additionally met farmers who had benefited from the charity’s work, which was a “very highly effective” expertise.
The Duchy has launched a brand new video as a part of its new psychological well being consciousness initiative.
Matthew Morris, rural director on the Duchy of Cornwall, mentioned: “A farmer every week commits suicide. That’s 52 farmers a 12 months. It’s tragic for the individuals concerned, nevertheless it’s the individuals which can be left behind.
“I misplaced a colleague via suicide just a few years in the past and I’ve by no means forgotten it. I noticed the influence that had on their household and their pals. I need to do my half in serving to change that.”
We Are Farming Minds – the right way to get in contact
We Are Farming Minds offers a totally funded counselling service for farmers scuffling with psychological well being points.
Helpline 0808 802 0070 (24 hours a day, seven days every week)
Textual content 07786 203130
For extra data, go to wearefarmingminds.co.uk
