Whilst UK farmers are renowned for the attention they give to their livestock, crops and machinery, it appears they do not have such a good track record when it comes to taking care of themselves and their own wellbeing.

Suicide rates in agricultural workers are among the highest in any occupational group and risk of suicide is also higher amongst those working in specific agricultural roles such as harvesting crops and rearing animals, at almost twice the national average.

In an industry with the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK, stress is often a key factor in many of the accidents, injuries and illnesses taking place on farms. Stress is something that many farmers face at some point and is an important contributor to mental health problems. It can come from many sources such as financial pressures resulting from market fluctuations, livestock disease or poor harvests, but concerns about Brexit, policies, administration and legislation can also take their toll.

Farming tends to be a conservative culture so some still perceive a stigma attached to mental health and this can hinder people’s willingness to speak about the issue and to seek help.

The Farm Safety Foundation’s inaugural ‘Mind Your Head’ campaign aims to encourage farmers and farming families not to neglect themselves, but to put themselves first, ‘open up’ and get some help and advice on whatever concerns they have.

After an extraordinary journey from the depths of depression to one of the most universally respected international rugby referees, former president of the Wales Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, Nigel Owens, 46, from Carmarthenshire, is all too aware of how easily things can get out of hand.

In his mid-twenties, Mr Owens lacked self-esteem about the way he looked and was ashamed about being homosexual. Coming from a small farming community, he did not want anyone to know and did not know where to turn. This led him down a dark path where he became addicted to steroids and suffered from bulimia. On one particular occasion he tried to take his own life at the top of Bancyddraenen Mountain, overlooking the village he had lived in all his life, Mynyddcerrig.

He said: “The mind is a powerful tool which can be positive and helpful, as well as negative and destructive. From experience, if we don’t open up and talk about how we’re feeling and what we are struggling with, we can end up becoming anxious and depressed.”

The Farm Safety Foundation is bringing together key organisations in the industry to work together for this initiative including the Farming Community Network (FCN), a voluntary organisation providing pastoral and practical support for farmers and farming families who are going through difficult times.

Charles W Smith, chief executive of the FCN explained: “When it comes to important farm safety equipment, people usually think of tractor roll bars, shedding gates for livestock and high-vis clothing. But there is another piece of kit, which when used properly, is even better – the mind.

“Talking to someone about your problems is often the first step to improving your mental wellbeing. But who? If not family or friends, then why not speak to someone you don’t know – someone you have no emotional attachment with, but who has a great understanding of what you may be going through?”