WITH anxiety and depression blamed for a "worrying" suicide rate among farmers, researchers in Scotland are turning their attention to what can be done to improve mental health in the industry.

The project, led by Robert Gordon University (RGU) and NHS Grampian, will interview farmers and draw up recommendations to improve mental welfare.

It comes as figures show that, on average, one farmer a week in the UK is taking their own life - the highest suicide rate among any occupation.

Read more: Five farming deaths in Scotland this year 

Andrew McCornick, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland, said: “Mental health and wellbeing is a hugely important subject which too often is ignored in the farming community.

"Over the last few years we have been seeing more and more people coming out in our industry and shining a light on the issue of depression and anxiety and how it can be so prevalent in farmers and crofters."

Financial pressures are a major cause of stress in the sector, with incomes derailed by market fluctuations, livestock disease or poor harvests.

The industry also has one of the poorest safety records of any occupation, with stress cited as a factor in farm injuries and accidents - which can also harm productivity.

Concerns over the impact of Brexit and excessive 'red tape' have also been raised as possible factors behind worsening anxiety.

Read more: Scottish farmers back Theresa May's draft Withdrawal Agreement 

Professor Kay Cooper, of RGU’s School of Health Sciences, said: “We know that farmers and others working in the agriculture sector regularly experience distress, anxiety and depression, which in turn are related to greater risk of injury.

"Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the suicide rate of farmers is at a worrying level – with on average one farmer committing suicide each week in the UK.

"Aside from the personal impact, poor mental wellbeing has a significant economic cost, with World Health Organisation recently estimating the global burden at £34.9billion."

Read more: Farmers' wives 'still backbone of the industry'

With the support of the NFUS, the researchers will be holding interviews with farmers at Thainstone and Orkney marts from February 11, before moving on to the in-depth workshop phase.