Farmers' mental health at risk due to working conditions

Farmers are increasingly working alone which is impacting on physical and mental wellbeing

How safe do you think working in the farming industry is?

A recent survey showed farming is the most dangerous profession in Britain - with 133 fatalities over the past five years.

But how does that compare with the Isle of Man and are they under significant pressures which could introduce extra 'risk-taking' to complete all their work given such strict deadlines?

It's understood that there have been no fatalities on the Island in that time period - but there have been severe injuries as a result of working with machinery, livestock and medicine.

Manx Radio's Christian Jones spoke with General Secretary of Manx National Farmers Union Sarah Comish and David Wilkinson who's the manager of NFU Mutual.

They say safety within the agricultural industry has become a more considered topic - but believe mental health among farmers to be a significant contributing factor: