Farmers across Europe face mental health struggles due to climate and economic pressures

A growing mental health crisis among European farmers stems from worsening climate change, economic uncertainty and lack of government support, with the hardest hit in southern and eastern regions.

Adina Florea, Apolena Rychlíková, Corina Petridi, Elena Ledda, Iliana Papangeli, and Paulina Olszanka report for Green European Journal.

In short:

• European farmers face increasing mental health challenges from extreme weather, debt and unpredictable crop yields.
• Many countries lack mental health support systems for farmers, and stigma often prevents them from seeking help.
• Farmers in countries like Greece, Romania and Spain feel neglected by their governments and the EU, worsening their stress.

Key quote:

"The droughts came one after another. I reached my limit and fell into depression."

— Daniela Dîrîngă, Romanian farmer

Why this matters:

Farmers are on the frontlines of climate change but often lack the mental health support needed to cope with rising stress. As their livelihoods grow more precarious, their mental well-being becomes a pressing concern for both rural communities and broader food security.

Related EHN coverage:

• Pollution and our mental health
• Psychiatrist leads climate-focused mental health initiatives
• Finding hope in our collective fatigue: A new perspective on climate action