Mental health in agriculture

How we experience the workplace is of great importance to our mental health. An occupational group in Norway that often experiences demanding situations in its workplace are self-employed farmers. Working in agriculture is associated with a high farm workload and high work demands. Farmers must also deal with uncontrollable factors such as high rainfall, long periods of drought, changes in the market and political framework conditions and regulations. Compared to other occupational groups, previous research shows that farmers have poorer mental health compared to other occupational groups. It is also claimed that farmers’ working conditions and mental health have deteriorated somewhat over the last 30 years in Norway. To ensure an active, social and economically sustainable agricultural sector, healthy farmers are needed. Knowledge about farmers’ mental health and what can prevent and strengthen mental health is therefore very important.