Farmers urged to talk about isolation and loneliness
Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary North, Ryan O'Meara, has raised concerns about farmers in rural communities suffering from isolation and loneliness.
This week, the Dáil debated mental health issues, with a new Mental Health Bill set to be introduced this year.
"We have a minister for mental health, we’re working on the Mental Health Bill, which is now at committee stage. I think it’s important that mental health in this country is viewed across the spectrum of society, and across every department," O'Meara said.
The TD told Agriland that farmers in his constituency are struggling with isolation.
"When I'm dealing with constituents, I deal with farmers facing delays with payments. Farmers are facing financial pressure, but also [facing] loneliness and isolation in rural Ireland," he said.
"We need to be looking at the way we’re approaching mental health on a human basis with every individual we’re dealing with, I don’t feel we get that a lot of the time when you’re facing the bureaucracy of the state.”
The TD also highlighted the aging demographic of farmers in Ireland, and has encouraged the public to make use of the services that are available.
"Obviously we’re seeing farmers in this country are aging. The average age of farmers is high and growing. In a lot of cases, you have people living on their own," O'Meara said.
"Farming being so intensive and time-demanding, people spend so much of their time, and so much of their day, working alone. We need to consider, are we looking after them people in society?"
Deputy O'Meara has urged farmers who are struggling to talk about how they are feeling.
“It’s a hard topic for people to talk about, it’s harder for older generations, but it’s about trying to open up the conversation. It’s perfectly acceptable to talk about your mental health,” he said.
O'Meara believes that one way to tackle isolation and loneliness in Ireland is to put funding in place to help voluntary community groups.
"I made a speech in the Dáil about what kind of funding government can make available to local authorities, particularly to pick out vacant or derelict buildings and turn them into community spaces," he said.
The TD has said getting the Mental Health Bill passed is one of his main priorities.
"It’s over 20 years since there has been a change in law for mental health legislation in this country. That’s a generation ago. Obviously, there’s major pressure on services that have to be addressed," he concluded.
