Young farmer death highlights mental health crisis

Alec Newlove was a young farmer in Louth before his death in March

The father of a 24-year-old farmer has spoken of his “complete devastation” after his son unexpectedly took his own life.

An inquest on Thursday heard how Alec Newlove, from Louth, Lincolnshire, was confirmed dead at 09:54 BST on 18 March in a wooded area of Alford.

Ahead of the inquest, his father, David Newlove, paid tribute to his "kind, happy" son and said: "He brought light and life to every situation."

Mental health nurse Gilly Steel, who has been supporting Alec’s friends since his death, told the BBC young farmers living and working in isolated rural locations were being "pushed to crisis point".

David Newlove hopes others working in the farming industry will talk about their mental health

Mr Newlove said his son, who was a keen skier and a member of Louth Hockey Club, had been saving to buy his first home and was looking to the future.

However, friends raised the alarm on 18 March when Alec did not turn up for work.

They used the last known location on his mobile phone to search for him.

"[It's] just complete devastation and shock to hear that he's took his own life with no warning and no notice," Mr Newlove said.

"He was just always busy and always with people or doing something with hockey or doing something with Young Farmers. [He] didn't really have time to come and visit us.

"He was just such a busy guy. Was that because he was lonely? Otherwise I don't know."

If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, there is information and support available via the BBC Action Line.

Friends of Alec Newlove, from Louth Young Farmers Club, said they "feel like a part of us is missing"

According to Yellow Wellies, a farmers' mental health charity, 95% of agricultural workers under the age of 40 believe mental health is one of the biggest hidden dangers in the industry.

Alec’s friends and fellow members of the Louth Young Farmers Club have vowed to keep talking in his memory.

Summer Slingsby, an 18-year-old vet technician, described working in the industry as “a lot of pressure and responsibility”, knowing they are providing food for the nation.

“It’s vital that we talk,” said 16-year-old Ben, who works when he is not studying for his GCSEs.

“We can be stuck in tractors for 16 to 18 hours a day, non-stop, around the clock and you can get home and just feel drained, with no one to talk to.”

Alec Newlove was also a keen skier and had been saving to buy his first home

Ms Steel said long hours, social isolation and financial worries meant farming had long been a stressful profession.

But the “what ifs” were pushing young farmers to crisis point, she said.

“They fear this is no longer a sustainable way of life. They watch family farms struggling to make ends meet." she said.

“They are a TikTok generation where they see others with disposable income and free time whilst they are working alone, 24/7, with no money in their back pocket.”

Based at Louth Livestock Market, Ms Steel said her team was “busier than ever before” supporting youngsters living in the countryside.

Funded by charity Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, Ms Steel said: “NHS crisis services are unavailable to rural people, as they are all based in towns."

At the inquest in Lincoln, coroner Rachel Young recorded a verdict of suicide.

Addressing Alec's parents, she said: “I appreciate you will never know what led to this and how difficult that has been for both of you.

“I have learnt a lot about a very decent man who had the respect and admiration from his family, the farming community and beyond.

“I hope you do have many cherished memories.”

Follow BBC Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]