With Mental health week recently past, its hard not to think of the ever increasing pressures and strains of farming and what these topics are doing for the Mental health of our farmers and their families. The rising price of fertiliser, meal and fuel and the uncertainty of government subsidies and grants, farmers are constantly on the breadline when it comes to making their business profitable and feeding their families. Farmers come from all over the country to trade through Ballymena Mart's sale rings and as much as buying and selling stock is a vital part of their business, talking and socialising with each other is just as important. A chat with a friendly face or listening to someone else can be all it takes to lift your own mood, as they say a problem shared is a problem halved. You should never feel your alone within the agricultural industry, even if you’re not doing business with us, call down and have your lunch or a cuppa at our Ringside canteen. The Farm Families health van are here throughout the year, you could always get your health checked with the lovely nurses or chat to them, keep an eye for us advertising their visits or for more information search https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/directorates/public-health/service-development-and-screening/screening/farm-families-health-checks

For more information on mental health search https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/coping-pressures-farming