Published February 2026
Guest blog: Jaz Lacey-Campbell, Change Mental Health. The Impact of Changing Weather
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Jaz Lacey-Campbell from Change Mental Health explains how changing weather can impact those who work outdoors in multiple ways...
Looking after your mental health at work is important, no matter your environment. There are certain factors that can impact it, and we don’t often consider the effect that weather can have, particularly when your job is based mostly outdoors.
Yes, it’s true that, in Scotland, weather is often the topic of conversation. The chatter about rain, snow or sunshine can be trivial, but there’s a crucial need to stay grounded. Often, people won’t have the tools they need to deal with the challenges posed to their mental wellbeing when handling a demanding job. That’s where mental health training comes in.
Let’s dig deeper
As a farmer or crofter – and others working in rural environments – shifts in weather patterns are part and parcel of the job but can be particularly stressful. Sudden storms, rapid temperature changes or heavy rain submerging fields can disrupt work, damage crops and create ongoing uncertainty.
There’s the common misconception that mood changes triggered by the weather are purely psychological. However, it can also affect us physically – impacting sleep quality and brain chemistry, which can make managing stress and maintaining emotional balance more challenging.
Research by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), which surveyed 300 farmers across the UK, found that many are increasingly worried about how changing weather patterns are affecting both their livelihoods and their wellbeing. Source: ECIU - The impact of climate change on British farms and farmers’ mental health (2025)
When stress becomes part of everyday working life, it’s easy to feel like you just have to push through, but practical support and guidance can make a real difference in building resilience, especially for farmers navigating an uncertain future.
Ensuring you stay grounded
We understand the challenges that farmers and crofters face, and so we have developed a free mental health training pilot to provide 16–40-year-olds based in the Highlands with the tools they need to manage stress, anxiety and build resilience in the face of changing weather.
Places are now available to book for ‘Staying Grounded: A Stress & Anxiety Toolkit for Changing Weather’ on Monday 23rd February from 6pm to 9pm.
Interested? You can find out more and sign up on Eventbrite.
Taking this step toward better mental health and wellbeing isn't just good for you - it's good for your farm, your family, and your future.
