– I don’t see it as a defeat to say that everyday life is tough. Torstein Næss is a farmer in Inderøy in Trøndelag. Together with his wife, he does several things in agriculture, including cows. The day starts as early as five o’clock and can last until late in the evening. – Many people work a lot in Norway, not just us in agriculture. But it is a special industry, and here it is required that we follow along at all times. Many thoughts Næss is one of the farmers who dares to talk openly about how the job is mentally taxing. Finances, long working days and not having enough time for your three children are some of the things that mean that heavy thoughts can occasionally arise. – When most people go home from work, I go to the barn again. And the children often go to bed before I finish. Næss believes that many farmers feel the same concerns as he does. But too few dare to say it out loud. – It probably affects much more than we see and what we know. It is probably mostly men who have a long way to go when it comes to being open and honest about our everyday lives and what we feel in our heads. Trønder-Avisa has also previously discussed the case. Many farmers are struggling Statistics from the Institute of Public Health show that 600 people took their own lives in Norway in 2021, and the majority were men. Farmers are also said to be one of the occupational groups most at risk of developing anxiety and committing suicide, says Trude Hoff, who is a municipal psychologist in Steinkjer and Snåsa. Together with several municipalities in the region, she is involved in a project to get Norwegian farmers to open up about how they feel. – Farmers are very good at going for service when the red light on the tractor flashes. But they are not so good when their own red light is flashing. Municipal psychologist in Steinkjer, Trude Hoff. Photo: Sigrun Hofstad / news She refers to research which says that farmers in countries such as Germany, France, the USA, Australia and Great Britain have twice the risk of taking their own lives as the general population. – We know that they are overrepresented when surveys are carried out about depression and anxiety. The project has drawn inspiration from Australia, which has been working on this for a long time. She hopes it can pave the way for more transparency among farmers who are struggling. – Do not give up. It is always possible to find solutions. Willing to help Leader of the Trøndelag farmer’s association, Petter Harald Kimo, understands that many farmers can have a difficult time. – It is a lonely profession. You may be the last farmer left in a valley, you work a lot and know the economy. Many also have no one to talk to. He is also concerned that farmers must become better at talking about mental health, especially among the men. The women in the farmer think he is smarter. The farmers’ association will also help. – We are ready to intervene if someone is struggling. But we depend on someone following along and reporting, says Kimo. – Someone has to put things into words Back on the farm in Inderøy, Torstein Næss sits around the kitchen table with his wife Ingeborg Gangås Næss. She can also see when Torstein is having heavier days. – It is rare that he talks to me about it, but I see it in him. It dawns on me that he is having a hard time. Torstein loves being a farmer, and thinks a lot is good. But he is positive about the mental health project, which he believes can take better care of Norwegian farmers. – Someone needs to put things into words, because I think it’s strange if I’m the only one who has tough days. Ingeborg Gangås Næss often sees it in her husband when he is not feeling well. But together they are concerned that mental health is important to talk about. Photo: Eivind Aabakken / news
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Torstein Næss and other farmers will get help with mental health – news Trøndelag
