World Mental Health Day allows us to come together to talk about mental health and emphasises the importance of showing everyone that mental health matters. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 centres on workplace mental health, a particularly significant issue within the agriculture industry. In the UK, 95% of farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as one of the biggest hidden problems facing farmers today, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace, especially in agriculture.  

On World Mental Health Day 2024, Scot Agri would like to highlight the important work carried out by RSABI. The RSABI provides practical, emotional, and financial support to those working within the Scottish agriculture industry with the aim to support and take care of as many farming people as possible.  Scot Agri is proud to sponsor RSABI and support the vital work they do in helping those in the agricultural community. 

How RSABI Can Help

RSABI have multiple resources for those struggling with mental health issues within the agricultural industry.  

Helpline and Web Chat 

RSABI offers a 24/7 helpline and web chat. Their friendly and professional helpline team are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All calls are confidential, and the RSABI number will not show up on your phone bill for complete discretion. While a phone call may be daunting to some people, RSABI are also contactable by webchat on their website or by email. Their webchat is available 24 hours a day and emails are monitored within office hours.

  • Call: Freephone 0808 1234 555 – 24 hours a day, every day of the year
  • Webchat: Accessible at rsabi.org.uk, click the chat button on their website – 24 hours a day, every day of the year 
  • Email: helpline@rsabi.org.uk – monitored within office hours – Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm  

Regular Telephone Support 

With the stresses and long hours of farming, RSABI offers regular telephone support with as much or as little contact as possible. Calls can be arranged in advance, or you can call whenever suits you.  This service also extends to those who previously worked in agriculture, those who are now retired or those no longer able to work.  

  • Call: Freephone 0808 1234 555 to chat or arrange a call back 

Counselling 

While speaking to RSABI can help combat mental health issues in the short term, professional support and guidance can help you overcome mental health struggles in the future. RSABI provide financial support to help with the cost of counselling sessions and can fund up to 12 sessions with specialists that know about the challenges faced in the agriculture sector. 

RSABI also operates a Thrive app which offers a range of resources including mindfulness, relaxation techniques and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).  

  • To request access to counselling visit their website here! 

RSABI also offers financial support, business guidance, and expert advice to those in the agricultural sector. To find out more about how RSABI can help you and read other people’s stories, visit rsabi.org.uk!