Mental Health & Wellbeing in Forestry
The progress and updates concerning work done to improve mental health and wellbeing in the forestry industry by our sector-wide working group.
Background Story
Data published by Samaritans and the Office for National Statistics highlights an increase in the number of deaths by suicide, particularly among men between 45 – 54. This is of significant concern to the forestry sector where a large proportion of the workforce is male and fall into this high risk group. People working in the forestry industry are also frequently exposed to other risk factors for poor mental health (rural isolation, lack of financial stability, and transient nature of job roles).
In 2024, growing concern, driven by deaths within the community, and increasing reports of pressure, prompted forestry professionals to come together and advocate for better well-being, identify industry-related stressors, and provide useful tools and interventions to help.
Read more: Healthy Trees Need Healthy People
Breaking Points Survey Report
To better understand the scale and nature of the issue, the working group commissioned the Breaking Points survey in the summer of 2025 designed to identify the key stressors felt by people working in the forestry sector.
The Breaking Points Report brings together the findings of the survey to provide clear evidence to support the lived experiences that drove the concern of this working group. It is intended to inform and guide future interventions, supporting organisations to improve mental health and well-being for those working in the forestry sector.
“By exploring the experiences of people across the forestry workforce, this report highlights the special nature and severity of the challenges they face, and also the opportunities we have to better support them, and make our forestry workforce more resilient. We simply must address the mental wellbeing of those who work in our sector, and I sincerely hope this report will provide the evidence and impetus to bring about the change we need to see.”
Christopher Williams – Royal Forestry Society
Read more: Workers reach breaking point as new report reveals quiet mental health crisis in forestry
If you wish to request a press pack please contact: Joe Roberts RFS Communications & Advocacy Manager
"The problems are not new, they’re decades old. We’ve either not found a way to solve them or there is no commitment to do so... It is unsustainable. There is only so much someone can take before they pack it in and leave the industry or worse."
Every Interaction Matters
Most people working in forestry know someone who has been severely affected by issues surrounding mental health. It’s not always the big things. Sometimes it’s the tone. The pressure. The silence.
So before the next job, the next deadline, the next demand…
Check in.
Check your tone.
Every Interaction Matters.
Read more: New RFS video raises awareness of mental health in forestry
Finding Support
For anyone impacted by this issue, please see the links to support organisations and resources included below.
If you are struggling, please reach out to someone you trust, a healthcare professional, or one of the links below.
If you are in crisis, please call 999.
- Stay Alive App: Essential suicide prevention for everyday life
- The DPJ Foundation: The mental health farming charity
- FISA Safety Library
- Samaritans:Providing emotional support to anyone (Call 116 123)
- Mind: The mental health charity (Call 0300 102 1234 Mon – Fri 9am – 6pm)
- Shout (Text SHOUT to 85258)
- Papyrus: Prevention of young suicide (Call Hopeline247: 0800 068 41 41)
Who Are We
