RABI’s new online wellbeing and counselling platform has seen a 90% return rate since launching in October. This statistic highlights the demand for easily accessible online support for the farming sector.
Normalising seeking early preventative support to maintain better mental wellbeing continues to be a fundamental challenge for RABI. Establishing the online wellbeing platform has been the first step in the charity’s development of flexible, accessible programmes of support that reach a wider audience.
“Knowing there are repeat users accessing this service, even after only two months, is a really positive result. RABI has been encouraged by the initial use of the two websites and I would like to thank the many stakeholders, who have played a role in raising awareness of the new wellbeing websites,” said Alicia Chivers, RABI’s chief executive.
“There is often an unrealistic perception that farming people are ‘invincible’. The truth is, we all have the capacity to be affected by difficulties and challenges, so it’s vital there are these easily accessible and confidential tools available to help overcome some of these invisible barriers that can stop farming people gaining greater resilience from professional support.
“It’s an ongoing conversation that we collectively need to continue to amplify. We must break down the barriers created by labelling ourselves as ‘robust’ and ‘strong’ to allow farmers to acknowledge they are human, just like the rest of us.
“I am aware that there is still a lot of work to do to really embed this message far and wide. Until we can really achieve this, these barriers will continue to impact farming people, preventing them from feeling comfortable to access the many services available to empower them to move forward positively,” she added.
The online service offers free, anonymous resources to adults and young people from the farming community throughout England and Wales. Users can also access one-to-one counselling with British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited counsellors, who have received training in the challenges facing farmers. Visit https://rabi.org.uk/kooth for more information.
