CropTec charity partner YANA expands mental health support for farmers

• The CropTec Show’s charity partner YANA plans to use the event on November 23 and 24 to highlight its recent service expansion

The charity has been operating in Norfolk and Suffolk since 2008 but expanded into Cambridgeshire and Essex this year. It comes after an 88% increase in calls to its confidential helpline (0300 323 0400) in 2021 followed by a further 77% increase in the first nine months of 2022.

Charity manager Emma Haley explained that typical reasons for calls include stress, anxiety and depression, with an increasing number of people calling because they are concerned about someone else.

“Last year 46% of calls led to us funding counselling sessions. Feedback from those who have received counselling shows improvements in relationships, work and mental health with 96% reporting that they are able to manage their problems better after their six sessions. It shows that we are meeting the needs of people who contact us.”

As well running the confidential helpline and funding counselling YANA – which stands for You Are Not Alone – also offers mental health awareness training to associated businesses. Alongside the expansion into Cambridgeshire and Essex it has also increased its training remit to provide support to those who have completed its mental health first aider courses as well as introducing refresher courses and short one-hour sessions on stress and anxiety.

“Being charity partner for CropTec is a great opportunity for us to talk to farmers and others in the industry about our expansion and to reach more people and raise awareness that we are there to offer support. The Show is a good fit for us and a great location to meet people from our region and have some good conversations.”

Emma will be on the YANA stand at CropTec with other representatives of the charity. They will be handing out leaflets and air fresheners which highlight key information on mental health awareness and how to start a conversation with someone you’re concerned about.

Gareth Jones, Event Manager for CropTec said: “We are really proud to have YANA as charity partner. The demands and stresses on farmers and others in rural businesses have reached new highs and with all the uncertainty and price challenges it’s not getting any easier. The advice and service YANA provides is very much needed and we are delighted to help spread the word.”