Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts ongoing by his Department to address issues relating to farmer mental health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. Dedicated funding of €2.5m was allocated in Budget 2024 for a range of initiatives including initiatives to support increased awareness of the importance 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 2’. This expanded programme is providing training for agricultural advisors, vets, Department staff and other agri-professionals and service providers, to signpost farmers to support in relation to health and wellbeing.
Last year, my Department funded eight farm safety European Innovation Partnerships (EIP’s) projects, of which four focused on mental health in the farming community.
My Department, with the support of The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, hosted the 'Cultivating Mental Wellbeing in Rural Ireland' conference in November 2024. The conference had a strong focus on supporting farmers to cultivate positive action around mental wellbeing.
DAFM is funding research into farmer mental health including the DCU led FarmHealth Research Project examining farmers mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour and the UCD-led “Farming Minds: Developing evidence-based interventions to enhance farmer mental health”. This research will inform future policy and supports in the area of farmer health and wellbeing.
The Department distributed the HSA’s Farm Safety Partnership booklet on “Farmers’ Health and Wellbeing - A Guide to Staying Healthy While Farming” in BISS 2023 packs to all farmers. The booklet includes a section on coping with stress and minding your mental health.
Farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for me and my colleague, Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D. The dedicated funding allows the continuation of existing initiatives and the development of new initiatives to build on my Department’s efforts to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing.
