If you’re not ok, you’re not alone

For over 45 years, ifac has supported farmers and businesses and played an integral role in the lives of rural communities all over Ireland.

We’ve always prided ourselves on having an open and honest relationship with all our clients and your health and wellbeing are very important to us. It’s for this reason that we’re writing this piece, difficult as it is.

Over the last few years, it’s become increasingly clear that loneliness and isolation are huge challenges for people living in rural communities. The fear of rural crime is growing, the days of people calling in are disappearing, local services are closing and many of you are reporting more paperwork, more stress, more demands, more hours and, sadly, more loneliness. These themes of isolation and frustration were well rooted before the pandemic, but Covid-19 has understandably heightened those feelings in ways none of us could ever have imagined.

We understand that our role is your financial wellbeing, not your emotional wellbeing, and we’re not trying to overstep our place. But your happiness matters, and if you’re not feeling yourself, every area of your life can suffer. While we know we’re not qualified to offer advice, we want you to know that if you’re not ok, you’re not alone.

People often feel that admitting they’re not ok would be seen as a weakness. But the opposite is true. It takes strength and courage to say you don’t feel yourself. It’s the first step to changing it and that first step is the most important.

There are also many confidential supports available and we’ve listed them at the bottom of this article. What works for one person may not work for the next, but the important thing is to think about yourself and what you need. Reach out, talk it out, sweat it out, try different things out until you find what works for you. And if you’re doing ok but you know someone who might not be, maybe give them a call. Sometimes a simple, thoughtful check-in can go a long way.

Take care of yourselves, The ifac team