Rural helpline services for farmers

Each edition of Gwlad lists some of the organisations that offer confidential support to people in rural areas who may be suffering from various forms of stress.

We explore below the different services these organisations provide:

• Rural Support Wales provides information on the support available for people suffering from rural stress. The website includes signs and symptoms of stress, self-help advice, and a county-based directory of services. The aim is to tell people what’s available and how to access it and, most importantly, to encourage people to ask for help.
• Rural Stress Helpline is a confidential listening and signposting service for rural people who are stressed or needing information. Where possible it introduces callers to practical and emotional support through rural support groups, Farm Crisis Network and other organisations. It can provide on-going support until the difficulty is resolved or help is in place. The contact details are: 0845 094 8286 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
• Farm Crisis Network (FCN) provides practical and pastoral support to farming people during periods of anxiety and stress resulting from problems which relate to either the farm household or the farm business. FCN runs a national confidential Helpline from 7am until 11pm every day of the year. Telephone: 0845 367 9990
• Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) provides care and support for farmers, farm workers, farm managers and their dependents. Many of those supported are retired people who are struggling to get by on low incomes. RABI also helps people of any age in times of crisis and those who are disabled. Tel: 01865 727 888. Open Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm; Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm; 24-hour answer machine.
• The Samaritans provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. The Samaritans are available to discuss any problem, big or small, or if someone is worried about something, feels upset or confused, or just wants to talk to someone. The Samaritans provides a service by e-mail - jo@samaritans.org, telephone: 08457 909 090, or face to face in most branches.