Supporting farmer and fisher communities in Wales through uncertainty: two mixed methods studies

Abstract

Background: Rural, farming and fishing communities in Wales were highlighted as vulnerable to uncertainty and change from Brexit, with likely impacts to mental health and wellbeing in these groups. Policy needs to understand how to prevent challenges, protect against health impacts, and promote mental health and wellbeing in these hard-to-reach/engage groups using evidence-based solutions. Methods: Two mixed-methods studies were undertaken in 2019-20, using identical methodologies, one in farming and one in fishing communities. For both, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, NICE, and Cochrane databases were searched for keywords associated with farmers/fishers, mental health, wellbeing, resilience, support, and suicide; for studies of any design published in English, in 2005-19. Evidence was further supported by stakeholder engagement through two world cafe workshops in each group (farmers n = 19, fishers n = 13). For farmers, additional face-to-face and telephone consultation took place (n = 2)