• The seminar organised by CIHEAM Zaragoza with the support of TEAGASC, GEOPA, CEJA and AEIDL is part of the European project SafeHabitus on health and safety in the agricultural sector.
• The event will bring together Europe's leading experts, policy makers and agricultural organisations to define an action plan to address mental health problems in agriculture.

CIHEAM Zaragoza, with the support of TEAGASC, GEOPA, CEJA and AEIDL is organising a seminar on mental health in the agricultural sector in the framework of the European SafeHabitus project, which will bring together the best experts, policy makers and agricultural organisations in Europe to discuss one of the most important challenges in agriculture today and to define an action plan.

This is the first of a series of SafeHabitus Policy Seminars that bring together policy makers, policy stakeholders, and practitioners and researchers to share knowledge on how European Union and national agriculture, health or social policies can make the difference to the lives of the 8.7 million people working in agriculture.

The seminar will take place on 25 January at the European Parliament and online, with the participation of MEPs Maria Walsh and Petri Sarvamaa, Irish Minister for Farm Safety, Martin Heydon, and French Senator Henri Cabanel, rapporteur of the 2021 French Senate report on farm suicides. EU policy makers and stakeholders (GEOPA, EFFAT and CEJA) will debate future options for EU action on this often under-reported and "back of mind" issue.

Building on the recent recognition by the EU initiative on mental health and an EP report of the need for
targeted support for farmers and rural areas, participants will assess existing national practices from countries, such as Belgium, Finland, France and Ireland, sharing knowledge from grassroots farmers associations how they are managing an issue which many farmers consider one of the most important challenges for farmers and farming today.

The EU recognises these challenges and pressures in the EU initiative on mental health: “People living in rural or remote areas, such as farmers, have particular mental health challenges associated with the risk of disconnection and lack of access to mental health services. Suicide rates among farmers are 20% higher than the national average in certain Member States, which is why support will be offered to strengthen their resilience.” 

The success of these initiatives depends on raising awareness about the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the farming community and providing appropriate and accessible support services to ensure farmers and farm workers receive the help they need, as outlined in the European Parliament report.

About the Seminar

• Date: 25 January 2024
• Time: 14:00-17:30 ECT
• Venue: On line and face-to-face at the European Parliament (Room JAN 6Q1), Brussels, Belgium
• Programme and Background Briefing Note