The latest Pigs Today podcast features producers Anna Longthorp and Jack Bosworth and the NPA’s Andrea Tranter discussing the huge impact on people’s mental health of living through the pig industry crisis.
Jack and Anna share their experiences of coping with the backlog and the dire financial situation on farm, and discuss how they try and manage their own mental wellbeing and their relations with staff and family.
Andrea talks about the wider picture across the industry and how the crisis is not just affecting producers but the allied industries and organisations on the frontline like the NPA.
- YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
The core message was for anyone who is suffering under the intense to reach out, whether to a friend, industry colleague, family or one of the organisations out there offering and help and free counselling services, including RABI, the Farming Community Network, YANA and others.
“It is always good to talk,” said Jack, who urged people across the industry to pick up the phone and contact someone within the industry who might be struggling to check on their wellbeing and offer support.
The podcast also hears from Sally Conner, RABI’s regional manager in the north east, who is from a pig farming family and understands what the industry is going through.
“It is important that pig farmers going through these incredibly difficult times get the support they need and know that there are people who can help. For any farmers feeling anxious or worried about the future, the best thing to do is talk, it can really help lift the burden of worry,” she said.
Farming Support
- RABI:  www.RABI.org.uk for online counselling and other wellbeing support. 24-hour helpline: 0800 188 4444
- The Farming Community Network (FCN): www.fcn.org.uk 03000 111 999
- You Are Not Alone (YANA): www.yanahelp.org 0300 323 0400