Posted on 05/13/2022 4:24:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Farmer Sam Stables planned to take his own life before his mum alerted neighbours who came to his aid. He has now set up a charity - which receives National Lottery funding - to help others in his industry who might be struggling with their mental health and has been nominated for a National Lottery Award
Being a farmer had always been a dream career for Sam Stables – but the reality nearly destroyed him.
Overwhelmed by exhausting working hours and isolation, and feeling unable to talk to even his closest family and friends, he couldn’t see a way out.
One day, while his wife Emily was at work, Sam prepared to take his own life. But what sounded like a final “I love you” conversation with his mum led to Emily alerting a neighbour, who found Sam just in time.
“With farming, so much is out of your control,” says Emily, 40. “It could be the weather, your stock dying, unpredictable prices. Plus, if you’re out lambing in a field or on a tractor all day, it can be really lonely.
“I think if the stigma around mental health within farming hadn’t been so strong then Sam would have accessed help before things got to crisis point.”
Sam adds, “Farmers are often seen as big, burly people who can battle the weather, so it’s important to break the stigma of discussing mental health. I’m the biggest lad myself and I can cry like a baby.”
Sam’s experience had made the couple all too aware of the lack of mental health support available for farmers. So they set up their own charity, We Are Farming Minds, based at the estate in Herefordshire where they farm.
(Excerpt) Read more at mirror.co.uk ...
Salt of the earth right there.
On top of everything this Covid crap has really hurt people. The natural social safety net of church and community has been practically wiped out.
Apparently this is not out of the ordinary.
I read about it years ago.
Nice story. Thanks for posting.
You are welcome.
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