Farmers choir trains to tackle mental health conversations
© RABI Members of the Hawkstone Farmers Choir have completed mental health training to help them support people struggling in farming communities.
The choir completed the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution’s (Rabi) one-day course at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, covering how to recognise signs of poor mental health, respond appropriately and direct people towards professional support.
See also: Rabi launches FarmersAid farm accident support app
The training also addressed pressures facing farming communities, including isolation and a culture of continuing through difficult periods without discussing problems.
Choir members decided to undertake the course after mental health became an increasingly prominent part of conversations surrounding the group following its appearance on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent.
Ruby Gwilliam, social media manager for the Hawkstone Farmers Choir, said: “Rabi was one of the organisations our members felt strongly about supporting from the beginning of our Britain’s Got Talent journey.
“As more people engage with us around these subjects, we want to make sure our members can have those conversations responsibly, and confidently signpost people towards the organisations best equipped to support them.”
The course also focused on recognising the limits of informal support and protecting members’ own wellbeing.
Ms Gwilliam added: “Our biggest hope is that every choir member comes away feeling more confident having conversations around mental health, while also understanding the boundaries of our role. It is equally important that our members recognise those signs in themselves.”
Building practical skills
Suzie Calderbank, business development co-ordinator at Rabi, said: “Our mental health training is designed to build practical skills and confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling, respond appropriately and help them find the right support.”
Rabi provides mental health training alongside wider support for farming people facing challenges including poor mental wellbeing and financial pressures.
The charity offers funded places on its accredited mental health training courses to eligible people from the farming community.
More information about Rabi’s mental health training or to book a session for a local farming group is available on the website.
Rabi’s freephone helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 188 4444.
