MENTAL health is not something many of us feel comfortable talking about.

It carries a certain stigma with it and some feel it is a sign of weakness to talk about their fears and worries.

Most of us expect to get a cold or a sore throat from time to time, but when it comes to the way we feel emotionally, it can be hard to recognise or admit that we're not feeling 100 per cent.

It was therefore great to see that the FUW tackled the subject head-on once again at the Royal Welsh Show in their ‘Let’s talk - a focus on mental health in rural communities’ seminar.

The panel members from the Farming Community Network, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and the DPJ Foundation gave an inspiring insight to what help is available out there - not just for those who are directly affected by poor mental health, but by also highlighting that help is available for those who are supporting a family member, friend or neighbour who is going through a difficult time.

The consequences of not addressing poor mental health can be devastating, as we heard from the panel of speakers at our seminar.

And while it is less of a stigma than it once was in farming and people are beginning to realise that bottling up their emotions is the worst thing they can do, there is still much work to do.

We’ve faced some pretty low points as a farming community in the last few years.

Bovine TB, price volatility and uncertainty about our future post-Brexit, this all puts a strain on our resolve.

But it’s about time to break the stigma attached to mental health and if you’re feeling vulnerable, please open-up and speak to someone.

Importantly, farmers and farming families need to continue talking openly about what they are experiencing and the FUW strongly encourages anyone who is worried about their own mental health, or a loved-one, to seek help from the Farming Community Network, Tir Dewi, the DPJ Foundation, Mind Cymru or Call Helpline Wales.

For those concerned about Alzheimer’s - please make sure you get in touch with them as well.

And above all - please remember that it is OK to say and it is OK not be OK.

GLYN ROBERTS

FUW president