One in three Scottish farmers report low wellbeing

One in three Scottish farmers and crofters are experiencing low wellbeing, despite years of growing awareness around mental health in agriculture.

Independent research commissioned by health and wellbeing charity Farmstrong Scotland found 33% of respondents recorded low wellbeing, with fatigue, poor sleep, stress and difficulty taking time away from the farm among the main pressures.

See also: Farmstrong Scotland hits funding milestone

The findings from its 2025 survey were broadly similar to those recorded in 2024, suggesting many of the challenges facing farmers are persistent.

Farmstrong director Alix Ritchie said pressures within agriculture were being compounded by fewer people working on farms.

“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 added.

Social wellbeing and isolation should also not be considered separately from physical and mental health, said Ms Ritchie.

Wellbeing training

While farmers were routinely supported to improve soils, livestock health, machinery and business performance, similar training around personal wellbeing was often missing.

“We don’t teach them the skills and how to protect their healthy thinking, how to have the self-awareness to understand when you’re struggling, to have the language to be able to have these conversations with your family.”

She said the pressures were heightened by the overlap between home and work on many farms, where family members may live and work together with limited opportunity to switch off.

Wider benefits 

Farmstrong vice-chairman Jock Gibson said improving wellbeing could also benefit farm businesses and day-to-day working life.

He said: “There’s data to show that there’s a reduction in farm accidents and injuries, so we can start to see the benefits to the industry of having a working agricultural community with good levels of wellbeing.”

Mr Gibson said his own wellbeing had improved since becoming involved with Farmstrong, helping him deal more effectively with challenges on and off the farm.

“I think I’m now running a better business, and I have better relationships with my family,” he said.

Increasing awareness

Farmstrong said 80% of farmers and crofters who engaged with its preventative wellbeing support reported a positive impact, while 83% would recommend it to others.

However, awareness stood at 26%, and the charity plans to use the findings to shape future work while seeking longer-term funding across Scotland.