JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Farmers and farmworkers in England are a population group who are particularly vulnerable to the mental health impacts of environmental stressors, including flooding and droughts. While international studies, particularly from Australia, have examined these impacts, there is a critical gap in understanding the mental health consequences of such events for England’s farming community. This gap is particularly concerning given the increase in frequency and severity of flooding and drought events due to climate change, which will have significant repercussions for the mental wellbeing of those whose livelihoods depend on affected land.

Objective:

This study aims to investigate the mental health impacts of flooding and drought events on farmers and farmworkers in England. It will examine how these events affect their livelihoods and explore both compounding and mitigating factors associated with mental health challenges.

Methods:

A mixed-methods approach will be used, beginning with a national online survey distributed via trusted intermediary agricultural organisations. The survey will include the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) to assess participants’ mental wellbeing. A subset of respondents will be selected for follow-up semi-structured interviews to gather more in-depth data. Data will be thematically analysed, allowing the identification of key patterns in mental health impacts, coping mechanisms, and resilience-building strategies.

Results:

Survey and interview data will be analysed to identify themes and patterns related to the mental health challenges faced by the farming community. This will include exploring coping mechanisms, support networks, and resilience-building strategies, with findings used to inform national interventions. Data obtained from the WEMWBS component will be assessed against results from existing studies that have used the scale for other population groups to provide comparative results.

Conclusions:

Findings from this new protocol will inform the development of health protection interventions, supporting the farming community in building resilience to future flooding and drought events. The study will also provide valuable insights into the mental health impacts of flooding and droughts in England, contributing to the growing international research on the mental health effects of climate change.