In light of the Covid–19 restrictions Dr. Noel Richardson, Director National Centre for Men’s Health , IT Carlow, has some tips on mental and physical well-being on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge Podcast.

Farmers are very resilient on a daily basis but at times there can be pressure and stress. Farmers were very busy during the first lockdown with calving and lambing etc. but it’s different coming into the winter time. There is lots we can still do to help each other out even though we are apart.

Services Available:

- Consult your G.P. regularly.

- Teagasc and Farm Consultants are available to farmers nationally to advise on farm management issues. Farming organisations also offer services to their members.

- A range of both Local and National Support Groups are available.

- The Samaritans can be contacted at 1850 60 90 90. Their website http://www.samaritans.org gives a list of support agencies.

- St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin provides a Support & Information Service staffed by experienced mental health nurses 9-5 Monday to Friday with an answering and call-back facility outside hours. You can contact the Support & Information service by calling 01 249 3333.

For further information, the following booklets can also be downloaded:

- Positive Mental Health in Farming

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Positive-Mental-Health-in-Farming.pdf

- Staying Fit for Farming – A Health Booklet for Farmers

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2012/StayingFitForFarming.pdf

- Coping with the Pressures of Farming

https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2018/Coping-with-the-pressures-of-farming.pdf

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at:

teagasc.ie/thebeefedge