Samaritans Cymru is setting out to break the cycle of suicide risk in rural Wales by launching the ‘Our Farming, Our Future’ project at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday 24 July 2024. With valuable funding from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and Moondance Foundation and in partnership with the farming support Charity Tir Dewi, this project will work closely with Wales Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) in Ceredigion, Brecknock, Montgomery & Radnor to develop peer-led activities and resources that can be cascaded across farming communities to reduce the risk of suicide in rural areas.
In Wales, between 300 and 350 people die by suicide each year. Suicide risk is complex, but there are several known contributing factors including poor mental health, poverty, loneliness and isolation and long-term physical or chronic illness.
Men are three times more likely to die by suicide in Wales than women; the ‘Our Farming, Our Future’ project recognises that suicide is a direct and indirect risk for all within farming families and communities, despite particular challenges in engaging men to address this risk.
Suicide has a devastating impact on rural communities in Wales. For some, it has become an overshadowing reality of rural life – resulting in collective trauma, manifesting a rational fear and risk for young farmers and future generations of farming families.
“This project represents a powerful partnership, between Samaritans, Tir Dewi, YFC Cymru and our funders NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, Moondance Foundation and the Oakdale Trust. ‘Out Farming, Our Future’ aims to equip the next generation of farmers in Wales with the tools and skills needed to face the challenges of farming life. By building awareness, resilience and peer support within the young farming community we can help create a supportive culture around Mental Health within Welsh farming and prevent future suicides.”
Neil Ingham, Executive Director for Wales
Samaritans Cymru and Tir Dewi have both previously called for an urgent further support in Welsh farming communities as studies show that farmers and those living in rural communities are at a higher risk of poor mental health and suicide due to facing overwhelming pressures such as long working hours/work-related stress, financial concerns, loneliness and isolation, a lack of access to services and risk of physical injury.
The ‘Our Farming, Our Future’ project allows young farmers to break the cycle of suicide and the risk factors impacting rural communities whilst making a real impact on their farming futures, the lives of their parents and future generations of farmers. Discussions with the Wales Federation of YFC show that there is a real motivation amongst young farmers to grasp this challenge.
Samaritans Cymru, Tir Dewi and YFC across Wales are confident in their team efforts to establish a peer support network which will allow young farmers to take ownership of the suicide risk they face – by finding a language, tone and style that makes suicide prevention their topic, one they can tackle with confidence and without stigma.
“We at Tir Dewi are proud to be able to work with the Samaritans on this project. We are acutely aware of the challenges currently facing farmers and are keen to help a new generation of farmers to be aware that there is help available. It is extremely important to continue with the excellent work currently being done in the agriculture sector to combat the traditional stigma that has existed around mental health.”
Wyn Thomas - Manager from Tir Dewi
“The levels of suicide amongst farmers and those living in rural communities is of great concern to me. “It is important we do all we can to raise awareness within the farming industry of the importance of looking after mental and physical health - I’m confident the ‘Our Farming, Our Future’ project will go a long way to breaking down the barriers and help tackle some of the issues within the younger generation in particular. “Working together we can break the cycle of suicide and the stigma that exists around mental health. I strongly encourage anyone suffering with stress or other mental health issues to ask for help.”
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies
Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs will be in attendance to show their support for the launch.
Powys Samaritans are also attending the Royal Welsh Show to offer confidential and anonymous emotional support to anyone at the event who may need to talk about the troubles they’re facing or who are struggling to cope. If attendees don’t want face-to-face support, they are welcome to visit the stand to learn more about the support Samaritans offer in Wales.
They will also be raising awareness of the Welsh Language helpline for Welsh speakers who would like emotional support in their first language.
ENDS
For further information and interview requests please contact:
Amelia Cahill, Communications Officer – Samaritans Cymru
Or
Emma Gooding, Policy and Communications Manager – Samaritans Cymru
07984 579050 / [email protected]
Notes to Editors:
- Anyone can contact Samaritans free any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. If you would like emotional support in Welsh, we have a Welsh Language Line which is free to call on 0808 164 0123 (Open every day 7pm-11pm) These numbers won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org.
- Samaritans is a charity and it’s the public’s kind donations and around 22,000 volunteers that mean we are always there for anyone struggling to cope. Find out how you can support us or volunteer with us.
- Samaritans vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help through our anonymous 24/7 national telephone helpline, our Welsh language line (open 7pm – 11pm everyday) and our email and postal services.
- We have over 800 volunteers in Wales, across 10 locations, who answer calls on our helplines, raise awareness and deliver outreach support in their local communities.
- Tir Dewi supports farmers and their families across Wales having difficulty coping with the pressures of farming, through a bilingual freephone helping operating 365 days a year, as well as through an on-farm support service where volunteers support a range of issues, all often in extreme isolation.
- You can follow Samaritans on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.