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Farming and Mental Health: How Therapy Can Help Farmers Overcome Anxiety and Burnout.

Writer's picture: Rosie KennedyRosie Kennedy

Dairy farmer with cows

Farming presents unique challenges that can take a toll on mental health. At Mind the Mind, we provide mental health support for farmers through tailored Human Givens Therapy, helping to relieve stress, burnout, and rural isolation.


The Hidden Struggles Farmers Face

Farmers are often viewed as strong and resilient, but these traits can also mask the emotional burdens many carry. Unlike most professions, farming doesn’t always provide a clear line between work and personal life. Many farmers work alone for long hours, with little social support, while dealing with uncontrollable factors like weather, disease, and fluctuating markets. These pressures can lead to:


  • Burnout from long hours and endless tasks

  • Social isolation due to rural living and lack of support

  • Financial stress from market instability and debt

  • Increased anxiety over unpredictable circumstances beyond your control


These challenges often make it difficult for farmers to find time for self-care, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and in some cases, depression. Research shows that 1 in 4 farmers under 40 in Scotland believe that poor mental health is the biggest issue facing the industry.

"I’ve struggled with anxiety for years, but I always thought it was something I had to just deal with on my own. The long hours and isolation were really getting to me, and I didn’t realise how much it was affecting my relationships at home until I finally reached out for help." — Andrew, Scottish Farmer

Learn more about how our services can help manage these challenges.

A farmer experiencing isolation—therapy for rural mental health

How Therapy Can Help Farmers Cope

At Mind the Mind, we offer Human Givens Therapy, a practical, solution-focused approach designed to help you understand and meet your essential emotional needs. Human Givens Therapy recognises that when these needs—such as security, connection, control, and meaning—aren’t being met, it can lead to anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.


This approach is particularly effective for farmers, as it focuses on immediate relief and practical steps to improve well-being. Therapy can provide a safe, confidential space where you can:


  • Explore and express your challenges, helping you get to the root of what is going on: You don’t have to carry these burdens alone and through therapy we seek to support you to find ways to overcome any challenges.

  • Develop better stress-management strategies: Learn to manage anxiety and uncertainty more effectively.

  • Create work-life balance strategies: Small shifts can help improve mental health without compromising your farm’s operations.

  • Build resilience and emotional coping skills: Empower yourself with tools to handle the ups and downs of farming life.


One of our clients shared how therapy helped him:

"Before therapy, I felt completely trapped by the pressures of running the farm. It felt like everything was out of my control, and I didn’t know how to get out from under the weight of it all. Talking to someone who understood helped me see things more clearly and put strategies in place so that I could regain control and take things one step at a time. It's made a massive difference" — John, Dairy Farmer in Yorkshire

Learn more about mental health in agriculture at the Yellow Wellies Mind Your Head campaign.


Recognising When It’s Time to Seek Support

It’s important to pay attention to your mental health just as you would your physical health. If you’ve been experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be time to reach out for help:


  • Persistent anxiety or a feeling of being overwhelmed

  • Difficulty sleeping or frequent fatigue

  • Irritability, frustration, or mood swings

  • Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach issues, or muscle tension that don’t seem to go away

  • Withdrawal from social activities or feelings of isolation

  • Loss of pleasure, not looking forward to things, suicidal thoughts or ideations


While many farmers are accustomed to handling challenges alone, it’s crucial to understand that mental health struggles aren’t something to be tackled in isolation. Seeking help is a proactive step, not a sign of weakness.


Recognising some of these symptoms? It could be time to get some proper help get in touch for a free 15 minute call to learn how therapy can help.


Take the First Step Toward Better Mental Health

If you recognise some of the struggles mentioned here, know that you’re not alone. Farmers across the country are facing similar pressures, but it's important to know that with the right support, it’s possible to overcome the challenges you are facing and regain control and balance. Therapy can provide you with the tools to handle the daily demands of farming while also ensuring your emotional well-being is taken care of.


At Mind the Mind, we’re ready to listen and help you move forward. Don’t wait until things become too much to handle— contact us today to learn more about how therapy can make a positive difference in your life.


Let’s work together to break the stigma around mental health in farming.


A farmer standing in a harvested field at sunset with his family, joyfully swinging a young child in the air—highlighting mental health, family support, and the positive impact of therapy for farmers overcoming stress and isolation

Ready to take control of your mental well-being? Contact Mind the Mind today to schedule your first appointment or arrange a free 15 minute call and see how therapy can help you manage the challenges of farming life. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, with flexible in-person and online options to suit your needs.


Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially in a demanding profession like farming. By addressing these issues now, you can set yourself up for a more balanced and fulfilling life, both personally and professionally.



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