Mental Health Awareness Week at Meadow

Each year, Mental Health Awareness Week provides us with an opportunity to discuss and better understand a crucial element of our overall health.

Over the last decade, there’s been a growing recognition of the importance of mental health and the impact that conditions such as anxiety can have on individuals, families, and communities.

In our latest blog, we explore the importance of Mental Health Awareness Week, why the focus is on anxiety this year and the work Meadow is doing to support producers and staff with their mental wellbeing.

Why Mental Health Awareness Week is so important

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event organised by the Mental Health Foundation, a charity that aims to raise awareness and promote good mental health for all.

The week provides an opportunity for people to learn more about mental health and to talk openly about their own experiences.

By giving people the opportunity to speak out about their experiences, it can help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems and encourage people to seek help when they need it.

The campaign is also important because it helps to promote understanding and empathy towards people who are struggling with mental health issues and highlights that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Why anxiety is in focus this year

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the UK, with an average of 37% of women and 30% of men reporting high levels in the last year.

This condition can have a significant impact on a person’s life as routine daily activities can be severely affected by feelings of fear, worry, and panic. Unfortunately, there are concerning information gaps surrounding how to access treatment for the condition.

This is a concern as when left untreated, anxiety can lead to deeper issues such as depression, and other mental health problems. However, by promoting awareness of anxiety, people can learn to recognise symptoms and seek help when they need it.

Improving understanding of the condition can also help to encourage open dialogue and create a more supportive and understanding environment for those who are struggling with anxiety.

Supporting mental wellbeing at Meadow

Here at Meadow, the wellbeing of our staff and producers is paramount, so we strive to do all we can to support them with their mental wellness and provide an outlet for those who are struggling in any way.

Working with our farmers

Dairy farming can be tough, and we understand the challenges many farmers face.

Unfortunately, 92% of farmers under 40 say poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem they face, with work-related and contextual factors contributing to stress and mental strain.

A Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute report has recently highlighted that levels of anxiety are particularly high among women in the sector, and it seems financial stress and long working hours tend to be the primary cause.

Our Farm Team are being trained to recognise when one of our valued producers needs help and will be able to offer practical advice, guidance and support which can make huge difference in our farming community.

By providing mental health support specifically tailored to farmers, including services that are available online or via telephone, farmers who may not have access to traditional mental health services can receive the support they need.

Supporting our staff

The last year has been a challenging one amid the cost-of-living crisis, and this has meant it’s been more important than ever to have a support system in place to support those who are struggling.

Our people are the essential ingredient in our success and we want to make sure that we’re supporting each other by creating an environment that fosters mental wellness.

Meadow’s internal Mental Health First Aiders have been an invaluable outlet for staff and continue to be on hand at any time to offer advice and support to anyone who needs it. These first aiders are trained to understand the signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions.

They play a huge role in improving mental health literacy, and by doing so they can help to ensure that more people are able to recognise signs and symptoms of mental conditions so that they know when to seek help.

Meadow’s HR team are also undergoing mental health training so that they can train other members of staff to provide support and advice for those who need to talk with someone.

Through campaigns such as Mental Health Awareness Week, we can encourage more dialogue, improve our understanding of it and remove the stigma attached to mental health problems.

If you’d like to discover more about Meadow, our values, and our people you can do so by contacting us. Or keep up to date on the latest industry and company news on our Twitter and LinkedIn.