Mental Health Help-Seeking and Literacy in Irish Farm Families

Farming families are central to the agricultural industry in Ireland. The poor mental health of farmers is well documented. However, the mental health of farm family members remains overlooked. This study aims to understand the mental health literacy and help-seeking of farm family members and how mental health literacy and help-seeking are associated with demographics. A cross-sectional study examined 447 farming family members’ mental health literacy and help-seeking using the Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Short Form (ATSPPH-SF), Mental Help-Seeking Intention Scale (MHSIS), and the Multicomponent Mental Health Literacy Measure (MMHL). Participants reported an average ATSPPH-SF score of 20.4 ± 5.8. The average MHSIS score was 4.8 ± 1.6, and the average MMHL score was 19.4 ± 4.5. Farm family members’ mental health literacy and help-seeking attitudes and intentions were positively associated. Those who worked on the farm regularly, men, and those who were less educated had significantly lower literacy and help-seeking. The mental health literacy and help-seeking attitudes and intentions of farm family members were marginally higher than those of Irish farmers and other populations. Interventions targeting the enhancement of family members’ mental health literacy and help-seeking could support improved mental health literacy and help-seeking amongst farmers and farm family members.