One in three farmers and crofters in Scotland are experiencing low wellbeing despite years of growing awareness of mental health in agriculture, according to independent research commissioned by the charity Farmstrong Scotland, Farmers Weekly reported.

The charity's 2025 survey found 33% of respondents recorded low wellbeing, with fatigue, poor sleep, stress and difficulty taking time away from the farm among the main pressures. The results were broadly similar to 2024's, suggesting the problems are persistent.

Farmstrong director Alix Ritchie said the pressures were being compounded by fewer people working on farms and by the loss of places where farmers used to meet. "The infrastructure for connection has diminished, and by that I mean that where farmers used to connect, like marts, local pubs, regular meetings that were in person, a lot of that has gone," she said. The overlap of home and work, with families living and working together, left little chance to switch off.

Ritchie said farmers are routinely trained to improve soils, livestock health, machinery and business performance, but rarely in protecting their own wellbeing, such as recognising when they are struggling and talking about it with their families.

Farmstrong vice-chairman Jock Gibson said better wellbeing also pays off for farm businesses, citing data showing fewer farm accidents and injuries. "I think I'm now running a better business, and I have better relationships with my family," he said of his own involvement.

The charity said 80% of farmers and crofters who used its preventative support reported a positive impact and 83% would recommend it, but only 26% were aware of it. It plans to use the findings to shape its work while seeking longer-term funding across Scotland. The report was written by Anne Dunn.

Photo: Julian Paren / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Source: Farmers Weekly