In an exclusive interview with Metro.co.uk, Kelvin revealed how he came to be involved in the campaign, and how a positive mindset has helped him through his ‘daunting lower days’.

He also discussed how playing a farmer on Emmerdale impacted his real-life work, as well as teasing what’s ahead for him in the future.

Can you tell us about the Mind Your Head campaign and how you came to be involved with it?

I think it was last year that I became involved. I’d like to think that I can represent their initiative in the sense of me as an actor, farmer, young male – and with my own family as well, and juggling many things, especially as a new entrant into farming, like many farmers there’s a lot going on.

I’m spinning a lot of plates in an industry where you don’t know what’s around the corner, so naturally, we’re all susceptible to that getting a little bit too much and your mental wellbeing being affected.

So, I think for me hopefully is just having that positive mindset, and valuing what you’re doing, and putting everything in context and in perspective. Whether that’s being out in the fields and looking at a lovely backdrop, spending time with the children, amongst this ever-changing climate.

Farmers are going through a hugely transitional stage, and whether you’re a small owner like us or a big commercial endeavour, farming wise, I think we can all embrace change and embrace the unknown, and hopefully I’ve demonstrated that.

Yes, I’ve got bags of enthusiasm, but me, myself, I’ve encountered some lower days. Some days when it’s tough, when it is a challenge. It is daunting. There are things out of my control, out of our control as a sector that does worry. That does have an impact. You consider your own impact of how you’re farming. How is that impacting your community, the environment? There’s so many things to consider, it can sometimes feel daunting.

So, naturally, Mind Your Head is all about keeping a positive mindset, and trying to really hold onto the good things in farming, the good things in agriculture – and there are plenty! And really focusing on that and encouraging people to be open with their worries, be open with their mind in that sense. It’s that old tale, isn’t it? A problem shared is a problem halved.

Were you aware of the statistics linked to mental health and farming before getting involved with the Mind Your Head campaign?

I had no idea, and I think that’s quite telling. I wasn’t involved in agriculture and had no idea, then I became involved in agriculture and still really had no idea, and maybe felt that those feelings were felt by just myself, and it’s quite reassuring when you realise that there’s other people that probably feel the same.

And I’m quite different, I’ve come at this with enthusiasm as a new entrant, and still somewhat in the honeymoon period. So, I’ve got overwhelmingly a positive experience of farming. But I’m acutely aware that there are many farmers out there that are really feeling the pinch, and at times feel like this lonely road that they’ve chosen is too much to tackle.

Being aware of that, it’s a big shock. And a bit disappointing, as you would learn of any industry. Forget farming, but as young men we are unfortunately susceptible to poor mental health. The suicide rates and figures are nothing short of a disgrace, really. Heart breaking. So, any way that you can try and revert that and change that, then I think we can all take a bit of a duty.

Agriculture does have its place within that, and unfortunately, it’s not alone. It too has an issue with some poor mental health, and now being a farmer, I can understand why. But I want to focus on the good stuff and spread the message that a strong mental mind is fundamental, and has huge benefits, massive benefits, in everything else, really.

So, it’s got to start with yourself, with your own headspace, and if you get that right, it might be tough, but if you get that right, the implications can be fantastic elsewhere, with your productivity, your relationships, your friendships really can get off to a good start. But it’s got to start with yourself.