Economic pressure, uncertainty, price pressure, climate change, generational change, and social expectations are among the challenges repeatedly faced by farmers, winegrowers, and gardeners. These pressures can also have an impact on their mental health.
For this reason, the psychosocial service "A listening ear for farmers, winegrowers, and gardeners" is now being expanded.
The initiative is backed by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Chamber of Agriculture, the agricultural association Luxembourg Machinery Ring (MBR), and SOS Détresse.
The service, which has existed since 2015, is intended to provide psychological support to people working in agriculture. According to those in charge of the service, an adaptation was necessary because, over time, the initiative was no longer working as effectively and had lost visibility.
Minister of Agriculture Martine Hansen explained that the need for such a service had repeatedly been raised by the sector itself. She also pointed out that agricultural professions are not only physically demanding, but psychologically demanding as well.
Hansen stressed that it is important to have people who are always reachable. She said that these contact persons have also received specific training on agriculture, as the challenges in the sector are somewhat different, adding that they are given a list of support services to which people can be referred when they are facing difficulties.
Hansen emphasised that the key message should be that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
According to European studies, farmers and winegrowers are more affected by psychological stress, isolation, and suicide than many other professional groups. The problems faced by farms and farmers are wide-ranging and often interconnected, explained Laurent Franz, president of the MBR.
Franz noted that in agriculture, problems rarely occur in isolation. He explained that many farms are family businesses, meaning that difficulties within the business and within the family are often closely linked.
If problems arise on the farm, family difficulties frequently follow, and because everything is connected, some people can end up feeling completely overwhelmed, Franz said.
SOS Détresse Luxembourg also sees the cooperation as an important step. Its team consists of 83 volunteers, who are supervised by a specialised professional team. To better respond to the realities and needs of the agricultural sector, they have received special training from the agricultural sector to raise their awareness of the challenges faced by farmers, winegrowers, and gardeners.
As a result, those working in the sector now have access to a support helpline that is available anonymously seven days a week.
Nadja Bretz, a psychologist at SOS Détresse Luxembourg, explained that in certain situations, a neutral person who is not part of someone's immediate circle can be better placed to help.
According to Bretz, someone who does not judge, has no prejudices, takes a neutral position, and simply listens can provide real added value by helping the person sort through their situation.
She noted that people often listen differently to someone from outside their own circle than to someone close to them. The real advantage, she said, is that people do not have to show themselves, make an appointment, or do anything more than pick up the phone.
The various actors involved have a clear message: no one should be left alone with psychological or personal difficulties, as seeking help still requires a great deal of courage.
Farmers, winegrowers, and gardeners can call 8002 7171 or contact SOS Détresse directly on 45 45 45 to find professional support anonymously and confidentially. The service is available on weekdays from 11am to 11pm, and at weekends until 3am.
