Joe Barker was just 15 when he stepped into a caring role on the family farm after his dad's health began to deteriorate. What followed was years of increasing responsibility, long days and mounting pressure, until it all became too much.
In this live episode of Blether Together, recorded at the Royal Highland Show, Joe speaks with producer Dave Howard about reaching rock bottom, finding the courage to ask for help and why sharing his story online has helped thousands of others.
Now farming in Lanarkshire after moving from Yorkshire, Joe has become one of the most recognisable young voices championing mental wellbeing in agriculture. His message is simple: it's okay to ask for help, it's okay to take a break, and it's okay to enjoy your life.
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About this episode
Joe Barker is a young farmer who moved with his family from Yorkshire to Lanarkshire in search of a fresh start.
As a teenager, Joe found himself taking on growing responsibility on the family farm as his father's health declined. Alongside running livestock enterprises and contracting work, he became a young carer while still trying to navigate school, sport and growing up.
Today, Joe combines his passion for pedigree sheep breeding with speaking openly about mental wellbeing. Following a heartfelt speech at his 21st birthday and a video shared on social media, his story reached tens of thousands of people, sparking conversations about the pressures young people in agriculture face.
Joe now works with organisations including Farmstrong Scotland, sharing practical ways to support wellbeing and encouraging others to speak up when life becomes overwhelming.
Lessons learned along the way
You don't have to carry everything alone
Pressure builds over time. Speaking to someone before things become overwhelming can make all the difference.
Small steps matter
Writing thoughts down, talking to a trusted friend or asking a professional for help are all positive first steps.
Looking after your mind deserves the same attention as your body
Joe believes mental health should be treated no differently from a physical injury. If something isn't right, it's okay to say so.
Celebrate life
Whether it's spending time with friends, going to Young Farmers, playing sport or simply taking a break, making time to enjoy life helps build resilience for the busy times.
Looking after your wellbeing
Joe knows that farming will always bring pressure, but he also believes that looking after yourself should never be seen as a weakness.
Taking a break, spending time with other people, keeping active, finding hobbies away from work and talking openly all help maintain good mental wellbeing before problems begin to build.
If this conversation resonates with you, Farmstrong Scotland has practical tools and resources to help.
The How's It Going? tool on the Farmstrong Scotland website is a simple way to check in with your wellbeing and discover practical ideas to help you stay well.
Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, and sometimes one conversation can change everything.
Important note
This episode includes a brief discussion of suicide.
If you're concerned about yourself or someone else, it's important that you talk to someone.
You can contact your GP, RSABI's 24-hour helpline on 0808 123 4555, Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87, or Samaritans free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.
