Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 April 2023
111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to studies showing that Government policies to tackle climate change are causing a mental health crisis among farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17708/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question on such an important topic.
Farming is one of the most rewarding professions but it can be a challenging and difficult career choice too.
Mental health is a critical issue facing all of society and farmers are not exempt. I am aware of studies which have revealed the extent to which Irish farmers are experiencing a range of challenges and stressors that are negatively impacting their mental health. They highlight the importance of mental health initiatives to support farmers.
This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing and secured dedicated funding of €2.5m in budget 2023 for a range of initiatives including initiatives to support increased awareness of mental health among farmers.
My Department, along with the HSE and the Department of Health, is co-funding a farmers physical and mental health awareness programme called, ‘On Feirm Ground’. Approximately 250 agricultural advisors have received training. This year, the programme will be rolled out to Department staff and other professionals who are in regular contact with farmers.
We are also funding eight farm safety European Innovation Partnerships projects to the value of €1.8m including four projects focused on farmers’ mental health. Additional funding has been made available to extend these projects into 2023.
We have provide support for research into farmer mental health. It is funding the DCU led FarmHealth Research Project which is examining farmers mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour which will inform the development of an educational mental health intervention for farmers.
The current Thematic Research Call is seeking proposals on a range of research themes including proposals focusing on farmer’s safety, health and wellbeing. The deadline for submissions is this Friday 21 April.
Working closely with the HSA’s Farm Safety Partnership, my Department was involved in the publication of its “Farmers’ Health and Wellbeing” booklet, which includes a section on coping with stress and minding your mental health. The booklet was included in the 2023 BISS packs issued to over 122,000 farmers.
DAFM's Farm Safety, Health and Wellbeing webpage includes links and contact numbers to helplines for a range of support organisations for any farmer or family member needing assistance with mental health. A link to the Teagasc/Mental Health Ireland booklet “Coping with the Pressures of Farming” is also listed on the webpage.
Ireassure the Deputy that farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for me and my colleague, Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D, who has special responsibility in this area and is doing tremendous work supporting the health and wellbeing of our farmers.
