Farmstrong Scotland Launches New Mental Strength Programme in Response to Survey Findings

Farmstrong Scotland Launches New Mental Strength Programme in Response to Survey Findings

Farmstrong Scotland, the wellbeing charity for farmers and crofters, has launched its Foundations of Mental Strength workshop programme, backed by the Scottish Government's Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund. 

The Scotland-wide project will bring structured, evidence-based wellbeing support directly into the heart of Scotland's agricultural communities, filling a recognised gap in the sector by providing practical workshops that help farmers and crofters build their mental strength and resilience in an ever-changing industry.

The new initiative which will kick off later this month comes in direct response to findings from Farmstrong's recent survey, carried out at the end of last year with 411 farmers and crofters. The results were stark - more than one in three respondents reported low levels of wellbeing, with scores falling below the national average across all age groups. 

However, the same research also offered a clear signal about what works - 80 per cent of those who have engaged with Farmstrong say it has had a positive impact on their health and wellbeing, with participants significantly more likely to have increased social contact, taken up exercise, volunteered, spent time learning, and taken breaks away from the farm.

Designed as a knowledge transfer initiative, there are six standalone workshops offered that can be delivered individually or combined into a full programme. 

Alix Ritchie, Farmstrong Scotland Director said: “We are now actively inviting agricultural organisations, advisers, and industry stakeholders to consider integrating these valuable workshops into existing events, farm meetings, and discussion groups, recognising that wellbeing is most effectively embedded when it sits alongside everyday farming practice, not apart from it, and would encourage anyone interested to reach out to us.”

Developed in collaboration with psychotherapeutic counsellors from Mind & Mission - who many in the agricultural community will recognise from the Women in Agriculture ‘Be Your Best Self’ project - each session tackles a core pillar of mental strength. 

Participants explore how personal experience shapes their approach to farming and life; how to identify and act on their values; how to recognise and regulate difficult emotions; how to understand the relationship between thoughts and feelings; how to cultivate a growth mindset in the face of an industry that demands constant adaptation; and how to find meaning and direction beyond financial drivers.

The anticipated outcomes are practical as well as personal - improved mental resilience, sharper decision-making, a reduction in stress-related incidents, and stronger peer networks across the farming community.

For Alix, the programme goes beyond workshops. “At its core, Foundations of Mental Strength reflects a broader ambition shared across Scotland’s agricultural sector - that wellbeing should be woven into the fabric of how farming businesses are run, not treated as a bolt-on or a last resort. Those in the industry who feel good and function well will build more sustainable businesses and more resilient communities.”

To find out more or to explore bringing a workshop to your organisation, contact the Farmstrong Scotland team at hello@farmstrongscotland.org.uk.