Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has issued a heartbreaking plea following the tragic suicide of a close farming friend.
Apart from his television work, Adam runs a farm in the Cotswolds, which was established by his father, Joe, back in 1971.
He also recently joined forces with the Farm Safety Foundation, a rural charity that has discovered that nine out of ten farmers believe mental health is the “biggest hidden problem” plaguing their industry today.
Data gathered by the Office of National Statistics** indicates that the farming and agricultural sector in England and Wales saw as many as 44 suicides in the year 2022.
The Farm Safety Foundation’s research underscores a worrying decline in mental health among those who work the land, reports .
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Adam Henson on BBC Countryfile (Image: BBC)
Adam, who professes to receive excellent support from family and friends, conceded that there’s an urgent need to spotlight the mental well-being of farmers.
Breaking his silence on a deeply personal loss, he disclosed to the Mirror: “A number of years ago, I lost a farming friend to suicide, and then working with Countryfile, looking at the statistics around mental health and then reading it in the Agricultural Press, I was horrified and upset by the whole situation.”
Further delving into the impact of his friend’s death on him, Adam confided: “And having lost a friend, having that personal experience, and speaking to his family, his girlfriend, and all of those around him made me feel like I really wanted to be involved in some shape or form.”
Adam revealed that he partnered with a production company to create a podcast series, calling it “another tool in the toolbox” to bring more attention to mental health issues.
Adam Henson and his wife Charlie (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
“They have been successful and well supported,” Adam commented, highlighting the collaboration with charities to deliver fresh and useful content.
The Countryfile presenter shared that the podcast has received positive feedback, indicating that “it has potentially saved lives.”
“And as the subject continues to be discussed, which is absolutely right, I am going to continue to support it,” he affirmed.
Discussing his personal mental health management, Adam acknowledged his good fortune in having a strong support system of friends and family.
Adam opened up about his friend’s death (Image: BBC)
He described his life situation saying: “My characteristics are that I am an upbeat person, and I have got an incredibly supportive family, wife and children and people around me.”
In his business life, he explained: “And within the business, I have got a business partner who I was at Agricultural College with and he is one of my closest friends and what we do is surround ourselves with people that are excellent within their own role in the business. Whether that is a manager or a farm manager, and we work really closely with the team and we are all very honest and open with one another.
“So, I have had some very difficult times in my life, both in business and personally. My wife was very ill a few years ago, my parents dying, and I lost a nephew.
“We have gone through foot and mouth challenges, , and we have had some tough times, but I’ve never had poor mental health because I’ve had that fantastic support system around me.”
Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or email [email protected].