Young farmers tackle rural mental health at 3Generate

▲Warning, this item discusses issues around mental health and suicide. Support can be found at the bottom of the article.

A duo of young farmers led a session dedicated to mental health in rural areas at this year's 3Generate. The aim was for young people to learn to help themselves, as well as each other. And so recognising that support flows in multiple directions.

"I don't want anybody to feel that way ever again," says Alfie. The young man stood before fifteen young people at 3Generate with a message born from personal struggle. His mother had invited him to speak after watching him navigate mental health challenges alone for years.

The session focused on a crisis often hidden behind pastoral landscapes. Farmers have significantly higher suicide rates compared to other occupations, with many desperately needing the mental health support they so rarely receive. Statistics reveal that 31 % of men in rural areas admit they do not reach out when struggling. The reasons are multiple: services are difficult to access, isolation is profound and the stoicism expected in farming communities discourages vulnerability.

To help participants understand these challenges, Alfie and his partner created interactive notes where attendees could share what they believed were the barriers to mental health support in rural and isolated areas. The responses painted a picture of communities where help feels impossibly distant, both geographically and culturally.

Methodists struggling all around the Connexion

Su, a leader from Cumbria, connected immediately with the discussion. "We understand what you mean. It happens in Cumbria every day. The nearest city to where I live is an hour's drive, and the waiting lists are very long. How can we effectively support young people?" Her question reflected the frustration of youth workers trying to help with inadequate resources.

Technology emerged as an unexpected lifeline. One Methodist Youth Representative shared how social media, often criticised for harming mental health, actually helped him connect with people and make friends. In isolated rural areas where face-to-face contact requires significant travel, online communities can provide crucial support networks.

Faith played a central role in several testimonies. Alfie shared how writing his thoughts helped him understand that "God heals, God have my back." He recommended praying for others, sometimes with them, as a way of building connection and offering support.

The Methodist Youth Representative spoke about his own mental health struggles, emphasising that "it's ok not to be ok." When he spoke to a trusted teacher, he was referred to a local charity that provided help. His advice combined practical action with spiritual comfort: "If you fear you can't talk, pray and turn to Jesus. God saved my life."

What can be done?

Dan, who has worked in suicide prevention for a decade, brought a professional perspective to the discussion. He stressed that connecting with other human beings, whether in real life or online, remains fundamental. "There is something we can do every day, and it's to be kind to each other," he said.

He reframed suicidal thoughts not as inevitable actions but as intrusive thoughts among thousands we experience daily without acting upon them. These destructive thoughts can be pushed away, he explained, and replaced with the decision to talk to a trusted adult or organisation.

Young farmer camps provide spaces where rural youth can engage with peers who understand their specific challenges and talk openly about mental health. For Methodist communities in rural areas, creating similar spaces becomes a vital ministry.

The session demonstrated that addressing rural mental health requires multiple approaches: accessible services, supportive communities, online connection, peer support, faith resources, and above all, permission to acknowledge struggle without shame.

If you are struggling, reach out to Papyrus, a suicide prevention charity, on 0800 068 4141 or pat@papyrus.uk.org.