Mental wellbeing among farmers aged under 40 has hit a four-year low, according to statistics published by The Farm Safety Foundation at the start of its Mind Your Head Week campaign.

This year’s campaign is focused on suicide prevention, and NFYFC is supporting the awareness week, which is now in its ninth year.

Headline findings from The Farm Safety Foundation’s September 2025 Farm Safety and Wellbeing research revealed a decline in mental wellbeing among UK farmers aged over 40.

As measured by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), wellbeing levels have dropped to their lowest point in four years.

The data also highlighted overall wellbeing within the farming community (measured in 765 farmers across the UK) continues to fall behind that of the general population, underscoring an urgent need for targeted support and intervention.

142-mile walk for mental health and YFC

During Mind Your Head Week, Sam Stables – co-founder of We Are Farming Minds and a sheep farmer – is taking on an epic 142-mile walk to raise awareness of mental health in farming and to raise vital funds for NFYFC.

Sam began his walk on 9 February from Ross Market in Herefordshire and will conclude his journey when he reaches the Farmers Club in London on 13 February.

Young Farmers’ Clubs have been invited to join Sam on his walk to help support his mission and raise awareness about mental health.

NFYFC Chair James Nixey will join Sam in Thame on Wednesday 11 February. James said:

“This is an amazing opportunity to help raise awareness about rural mental health as well as raise money for our organisation.

“We are extremely grateful to Sam for supporting YFC on his mammoth mission and for raising awareness of the pressures faced by rural and farming communities.”

Donate to Sam’s fundraiser here.