UK farmers’ mental wellbeing has fallen to its lowest level in four years, with new figures highlighting growing concern over suicide risk within the agricultural sector.
Research published by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) shows overall wellbeing among farmers now lags behind the UK general population, with the sharpest decline recorded among those aged 61 and over – historically one of the most resilient groups in the industry.
The findings coincide with the latest Office for National Statistics data, which recorded 47 suicides in England and Wales among people working in farming and agriculture in 2024, a 7% increase on 2022.
The charity today launched its ninth annual Mind Your Head campaign, running from 9–13 February 2026, placing suicide awareness and prevention at its core.
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Measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), the research surveyed 765 farmers across the UK and found wellbeing among farmers aged over 40 has hit a four-year low. Those aged 61+ have seen the most significant deterioration, reversing a long-standing trend of above-average resilience.
Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, said that while progress has been made in mental health awareness, suicide prevention remains a critical gap.
“Over the past nine years we have improved understanding of mental health in farming, but when it comes to suicide prevention, progress has been far more limited,” she said.
“Farming brings long hours, isolation, financial pressure and generational expectations. Without training that reflects the realities of agricultural life, people are being left without the tools to recognise warning signs and intervene.”
The campaign calls on farmers, colleges, rural organisations and Young Farmers Clubs to start earlier, life-saving conversations and to build confidence in recognising and responding to suicide risk – an issue increasingly described as agriculture’s “biggest hidden problem”.
Growing momentum around suicide prevention in rural areas includes Scottish charity RSABI appointing its first Suicide Prevention Lead, while Rural Support in Northern Ireland is recruiting a dedicated officer. The issue was also discussed at a recent roundtable of farming support charities attended by HRH The Prince of Wales.
As members of The Royal Foundation’s National Suicide Prevention Network (NSPN), the Farm Safety Foundation will use the 2026 campaign to strengthen collaboration across crisis support, prevention and postvention.
During the week, the charity will launch a new Suicide Awareness & Prevention eLearning module, developed with fellow NSPN member Baton of Hope and funded through The Royal Foundation’s £1m suicide prevention programme. The farming-specific course is designed to help participants recognise warning signs, use supportive language and create simple safety plans with clear routes to specialist support.
Stephanie Berkeley added: “Farming is tough, and that ‘just get on with it’ mindset is deeply ingrained. But it’s also why people often leave it too late to ask for help. Suicide is not inevitable – when communities know what to say and what to do, lives can be saved.”
Karen Hodgson, associate director at The Royal Foundation, said the project demonstrated the power of collaboration.
“This work will make a real difference to those living and working in rural communities across the UK,” she said.
Further information on the Mind Your Head campaign is available at yellowwellies.org , with updates shared via @yellowwelliesUK using #MindYourHead.
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