FORUM Connemara Farm Health & Safety EIP
Farmers' Mental Health Toolbox
Agriculture is a demanding career, with its own set of unique stressors that can take their toll on mental health.
When it comes to our mental health - we can all do with some tools and techniques to make sure we are keeping well. We have done our best to collect together the most useful tools and techniques here on these pages.
Everyone needs help from time to time and we want to make finding the right help for you easy.
If you are in a crisis or any other person may be in danger please call 999
If you have questions about your specific symptoms or are looking for medical advice, please contact your family doctor or local health care facility. The information on this website is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, or professional advice. Please note the inclusion of an organisation and information does not imply endorsement, nor does exclusion indicate a lack of endorsement.
If there is a resource you think should be included in this list, please contact us.
Articles on Mental Health for the farming community
Helplines (FREE services)
What to expect when you call a help line
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Support workers will listen to you talk about what is worrying you
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They may ask you to provide information about your current situation, past situations, your current and past supports (family, friends and professionals)
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They will help you tell your story
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They will keep all aspects of your conversation confidential
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They will help you prioritize the issues you have identified, not judge you for what you’re going through They will assess what has worked well and what hasn’t
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They will help you determine what needs to be addressed and what can wait
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They will help you determine what you have control over and those issues you have no control over
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They will problem solve with you and identify alternatives
The hardest part is that decision to pick up the phone and call.
See our list below of helplines available in Ireland.
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The Samaritans freephone number 116 123 is ideal for use among farmers and other people in rural Ireland, especially those living or working in isolation.
Their website
http://www.samaritans.org gives a list of support agencies.
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Pieta 24hr Crisis Helpline
Call the 24 hour freephone helpline on
1800 247 247 or text the word HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply) to speak to a qualified therapist if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-harming or have lost someone to suicide.
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HSE Your Mental Health information line is a 24 hour free phone information service provided by the HSE. It is not a counselling service, but an information line to help point you to the correct mental health service for your needs. You can free phone 1800 742 444 to request information anytime of the day.
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The IFA provides several confidential helpline to assist farmers with financial / legal difficulties.
IFA’s Legal Advice Helpline 0818 252 596
IFA’s Debt Support service 0818 924 853
IFA Farm Schemes, Payments and Inspections 0818 989 878
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Mental Health Ireland have a very good resource on Farming resilience here:
www.mentalhealthireland.ie/your-mental-health/farming-resilience
Seniorline: A service to help parents grappling with loneliness and family conflict
​1800 80 45 91 operates every day, 10am to 10pm.
Loneliness is the primary reason for the majority of the 20,000 calls made annually to Seniorline, a national listening service run by Third Age.
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Counselling and Support
Clann Resource Centre – Family Support Centre.
Station Rd, Oughterard, Co. Galway
091 557633
Elm Tree Support Centre
Clifden, Phone 095 30930
The Elm Tree Centre is managed by HSE Psychiatric Services.
Here, clients receive personal assessment and treatment is devised with clinicians.
Elm Tree also provide a range of social and personal life skills as well as vocational training, tailored to each individual's needs.
Contact Micheal Monaghan on 087 7487570
For further details.
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Better Help - “access to licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists (PhD / PsyD), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), clinical social workers (LCSW / LMSW), and board licensed professional counsellors.” Counselling is available online and through an app https://www.betterhelp.com
Inkblot Therapy - is a Canadian based company that offers completely digital personalized mental health services. Inkblot also offers mental health services for businesses, through creating a mental health strategy and offering resources https://inkblottherapy.com/
Talk Space - allows you to “connect with a matching therapist and communicate through laptop, tablet or smart phone.” An app is also available https://www.talkspace.com
Tips for taking care of yourself
Take care of your body:
Regular exercise reduces symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety,
Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
Check in
with yourself:
Assess your mental health from time to time and ask for help if you need it.
If you can't talk to family or friends check out the Helplines above
Listen and
offer help:
Learn to recognize when someone else may be having problems and assist them in contacting resources for support.
Have some fun:
Once a week, do something you are passionate about. Having interests that are all-consuming and that we can “get lost in” bring us into increased happiness and creativity.