Mental health knowledge and help-seeking intention in Irish farmers

BACKGROUND: Despite farmers’ vulnerability to poor mental health and high suicide rates internationally, they are often reluctant to seek help. Available mental health services are ineffective unless farmers reach out and engage with them. Barriers such as stigmatizing beliefs, masculine norms and skepticism towards professional help often prevent help-seeking. The current study examined mental health literacy, help-seeking intention and attitudes towards seeking help in Irish farmers. METHODS: Irish adult farmers (N = 351) completed a cross-sectional survey online or in-person at farming events. The Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy scale, Mental Help-Seeking Intention Scale and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Short Form were used. Prevalence assessments and descriptive analyses were completed and non-parametric tests were used to examine the differences between age, gender, education, income and health issues. RESULTS: Many did not know how to contact a local clinic (53.8%), obtain suicide prevention hotline number (24.2%), where to get services (24.8%) or useful information on mental illness (21.8%). Farmers had low literacy (M = 17.8) and intentions to seek help (M = 13.1), with women displaying higher literacy (p<.001, r=.17) and more positive attitudes towards help-seeking (p=.005, r=.15). Third level education was associated with higher literacy (p=.007, r=-.18) and positive attitudes to help-seeking (p=.024, r= -.12). Past help-seeking was associated with higher literacy (p=.043, r=.11) positive attitudes (p=.022, r=.12) and greater help-seeking intention (p=.028, r=.12). Those with mental health (p=.036, r=-.11) or substance use issues (p=.023, r=-.12) had lower help-seeking intention. CONCLUSIONS: Farmers had low literacy and perceived significant barriers to help-seeking. Interventions targeting literacy, knowledge of, and access to health services are important, particularly for men and less-educated farmers. KEY MESSAGES: • Low literacy and knowledge of services prevents farmers from seeking help. • Farmers, particularly those who are men or less educated, require urgent intervention targeting literacy.