The 'hidden' crisis plaguing Britain's farmers – 47 deaths in just one year

Britain’s farmers are under pressure – and a shocking 47 of them took their own lives in 2024. The sobering statistic is being highlighted by the Farm Safety Foundation at the start of its ninth annual Mind Your Head campaign. The charity is seeking to shine a light on what it calls the industry's "biggest hidden problem".

The week-long event will aim to spark life-saving conversations, provide practical skills and bolster support networks among farmers, rural organisations, colleges and Young Farmers Clubs. Latest Office for National Statistics figures reveal 47 suicides registered in England and Wales among the farming and agricultural sector in 2024 – a 7% increase from 2022. The charity's research, using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, shows overall wellbeing in the farming community lagging behind the UK average.

The sharpest drops are among those over 40, particularly the historically resilient 61-plus group. Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, highlighted the unique pressures fuelling the crisis. And she stressed that while the anger unleashed by the Government’s proposed inheritance tax grabbed people's attention, the underlying problems went back a long way.

She explained: "For us, the issue is that mental wellbeing in the industry – and unfortunately, suicides in the industry – is something that the industry has always faced. Public perceptions of farming today have been shaped by those tractor protests in London, by Clarkson's Farm, by images of farmers living in big houses. But actually, those images could not be farther from the truth."

It is a reality which is made up of isolation, unrelenting pressure, punishingly long hours and fractured family relationships. She continued: "I mean, unpredictable weather – farmers in Somerset are dealing with flooded land at the moment. Their land has been so saturated that when we get the weather that we did last week, there's no way for them to relieve that."

"We know we're going to be getting weather coming from Portugal and Spain next week, so the barley that they've planted is sitting there rotting in their fields. This is the financial pressure that they feel. All of those kind of things happen on a day-to-day basis, but also they can go for days and even weeks without meaningful human contact."

"Their banking, their CAP registrations, their compliance – they're all being done online now, so the opportunities to see and talk to people are becoming less and less." Ms Berkeley described the mental toll as a toxic mix of depression and anxiety, exacerbated by isolation.

She said: "Farmers can describe their capacity for stress as a bucket that's sort of three-quarters full. You know, they can cope with the poor harvests, the weather, the difficult lambing – which a lot of farmers are getting into at this time of year – and calving. They're holding on to the belief that next year will get better.”

However, when they were faced with an additional pressure – such as a bereavement, divorce, illness, or terrible weather – that bucket can overflow. It was then that depression, anxiety, and tragically, suicidal thoughts could rise to the surface.

The campaign, dubbed Mind Your Head, seeks to raise awareness of these challenges, break down stigma around poor mental health and suicide, and "sow the seeds of wellbeing". Ms Berkeley said, "Basically, the campaign's about raising awareness of all of the challenges that are facing the UK's farming industry.

"Breaking down the stigma that exists – not just to poor mental health, but to suicide – and providing opportunities for people to educate themselves about that, so that they can do their bit to prevent suicide and know that there is hope. When somebody gets to that point in their life that is a crisis, there is a way back."

"There is help out there. But it's actually having the confidence to have that conversation and start it. It’s something that we have learned a lot over the last eight years of doing the campaign: getting mental health 'on the table' in terms of conversation. We need to do the same with suicide prevention."

Ms Berkeley rejected the notion that farmers feel targeted by the Government but added: "I think they think that maybe they should be consulted more." A recent parliamentary drop-in event saw cross-party MPs from rural constituencies engaging with the issues, sharing research and seeking ways to support constituents.

Ms Berkeley said: "We're encouraged that they're listening. That is the important thing." She further portrayed farmers as the "fifth emergency service", selflessly aiding communities during crises like last week's winds, often at the expense of their own farms.

She added: "They have a very selfless attitude; they care about everybody else except themselves. Our campaign is reminding them that they are the most important thing on the farm. The farm won't continue without them." Emphasising society's stake, Berkeley urged: "If you sit down this evening to a meal – if you're lucky enough to do that – think about what the farmer has to go through to put that food on your plate.

"What actually happens if that is brought into question because we're losing farmers to suicide or to farm accidents? When that is coming into question, then that is what we need to realise: that we do value them. Let's buy local ingredients. Let's support British farmers."

"This work will make a real difference to those living and working in rural communities across the UK." Ms Berkeley, from a farming and fisheries background in Donegal, knows the ripple effects of loss. She said: "I have friends who have lost loved ones over the years, so I know how it affects a family, a friendship group, and a community."

"We are all connected, and that's the important thing. We do need to stay connected. It might take us out of our comfort zone, but we do have to make the effort, because this is about human contact. The campaign is about humanity. It's about people."

A highlight of the campaign is a 142-mile solo walk by farmer Sam Stables from Ross Market to Westminster's Farmers Club, symbolising rural isolation. The charity is also launching a new 'Suicide Awareness & Prevention' eLearning module, funded by The Royal Foundation and developed with Baton of Hope, tailored for farming.

It teaches recognising warning signs, supportive language and safety plans, with signposting to sector help. Karen Hodgson, associate director at The Royal Foundation, said: "We are proud to support this project, led by two of the National Suicide Prevention Network’s partners. It is great to see collaboration in action, bringing innovative approaches to suicide prevention and reaching communities that need it most."

With Scottish charity RSABI appointing its first Suicide Prevention Lead and Northern Ireland’s Rural Support recruiting one, momentum is building. A recent roundtable attended by The Prince of Wales underscored the need, leading the Foundation to centre suicide prevention in 2026.

Whatever you're going through, you can call the Samaritans free at any time from any phone on 116 123. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You can also email jo@samaritans.org