Caring vet Phil's tackling farming's hidden mental health crisis

During Men’s Mental Health Week (June 9th to 15th), men are being encouraged to start a conversation about mental health, whether in their own workplace or other businesses they work with.

Cornwall Dairy Vets Clinical Director Phil Dawber feels passionate about supporting farmers with their mental health because many of his clients are experiencing loneliness and stress in a job with early hours and long days while feeling isolated in remote areas.

Having experienced the anguish of losing one farmer friend through suicide, Phil reveals why he feels it is so important that farmers and farm vets pull together to tackle farming’s hidden mental health problem….

WHEN he’s pulling on his waterproofs and wellies after arriving at a remote farm in Cornwall, Phil Dawber always makes a point of asking farmers how they are doing.

Wherever possible, he arrives five minutes early for appointments so he can make time to encourage farmers to open up and be honest about the challenges they are facing each day and if there’s anything troubling them, whether related to their herd or their health.

Whilst farmers are renowned for the attention they pay to their livestock, crops and machinery, Phil - a farm vet for 18 years - understands they don’t have a good track record of taking care of their own mental health and wellbeing.

Working long hours, often in isolation, farmers are sometimes under financial strain and, because their place of business is also home, there is no easy way to get away from the workload.

According to research by the Farm Safety Foundation, 95% of farmers aged under 40 believe that mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today. 

Phil believes that the whole farm industry, including farm vets, have a collective responsibility to do something about the issue of mental health. He believes giving someone your time to chat is one of the most important things we can do.

He said: “Men have to realise that it is OK not to be OK. Farming is so isolating as farmers are often working along in remote areas and potentially the only person they might see is their elderly mother. They can go days without seeing anyone other than the postman and a vet visit can be a hugely important interaction with a trusted person to give advice.

“I have come to realise that I am not just a vet as I am a friend to clients as well, so I give them some time to talk about anything that is troubling them if they want to. Sometimes allowing them to vent is a weight off their shoulders and helps them to feel better.

“If it’s not an emergency I’m responding to, I turn up earlier on routine calls if possible and if the farmer wants to talk, I have a conversation. It might be asking how a particular cow is doing, showing displeasure with milk pricing, sympathising about TB, or it might be how their grandmother is doing in their nursing home. It helps people to know they are not struggling alone.”

He finds that from doing this, many of his farmers do the same for him and says the genuine concern and interest from a farmer means a huge amount.

Phil understands from personal experience the importance of ending stigma around mental health and encourage more open conversations among men about how they are feeling.

“A client of mine sadly took his own life and it was devastating,” he said.

“For a few months before, communication shut down. I stopped receiving humorous messages and phone calls. In hindsight, he was living with depression, and the love of his job had gone.”

“Some people will admit they are overwhelmed and feeling unhappy and stressed. Another farmer I know, who is a close friend, got a part-time worker in to help him to deal with the workload.

“It can be lonely out on the road as a farm vet, but we have colleagues to turn to when things are tough and that is not the case for farmers as they are on their own. I find that admitting to clients when I’m stressed or having a difficult time, they feel they, too, can open up.

“It is almost a badge of honour in the agricultural community to be busy and stressed, which is also a badge present in the veterinary world too. A good day is one where you’ve achieved your goals, not one when you’ve been rushing and under pressure.”

Phil has also seen farm vets experience mental health conditions and has tried to foster a caring culture at Cornwall Dairy Vets so colleagues can share anything that’s troubling them. Their practice has an open plan office, and they try to ensure a family feeling and supportive atmosphere is maintained.

According to Vetlife, many people in the veterinary profession are also experiencing symptoms indicating clinical depression or anxiety.

Phil said: “If a vet or a vet tech is having a bad day, they don’t have to hide it as they can have a coffee and vent so things don’t build up. Being vulnerable and admitting they may need support enables us to help each other. We are all human trying to do a good job.

“As vets we are by our nature ‘over achievers’ used to getting top grades at school to get into vet school. When you get a job and see animals dying, rather than being able to save them all, people feel things are not going to plan and feel they are dealing with failure. It is important to remember everyone has low days and you feel awful at work, but then there will be times when things go really well. It is part of being a vet.

“My mental health is good but I want to help other people. I tell any vet who is struggling with lone working to get a dog and take them to work with you in your vehicle. They’re great company. Give yourself a break as the world won’t end if you take a lunch break and walk them. Have a conversation with a colleague if you’re struggling and get a hobby outside of work to help you to switch off.”

As a keen runner, Phil appreciates the benefits of exercise to keep both mind and body healthy. He sometimes invites clients along for a lunchtime run and finds it is a great way to have an honest conversation off the farm.

“Men discussing mental health is still seen as a weakness to a certain degree, but I definitely think the topic is becoming less taboo,” he said.

Where to find help and support: 

• All employees have Health Shield giving cash back on a range of wellbeing and health benefits and access to mental health support. The benefit includes a full employee assistance programme (EAP) available 24/7 providing up to eight face-to-face counselling sessions (including cognitive behavioural therapy), along with help, support and advice.

• Health Shield also provides access to the NHS-approved My Wellbeing App: Breeze, a clinically effective app for the prevention, screening and management of anxiety, depression and stress.

• You’ll find resources to help you look after your mental health, and support your colleagues’ mental health, on VetPartners Learning.

• Vetlife provides support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 0303 040 2551.

• Our Toilet Door poster includes useful helplines and charities providing support.