THERE IS still a stigma around mental health issues in the farming community – but thanks to the recent efforts of Mind Scotland and SRUC, there is now 'genuine momentum' towards helping rural people suffering from stress and depression.

In August and September last year, the two bodies joined forces to carry out a survey which asked people with mental ill health about their experiences in modern rural Scotland. Hundreds of people responded, from Galloway to Stornaway and Berwick to Lerwick. A clear message emerged that local connections were really important to them, and that ordinary links with people in their community played a key role in helping to overcome stigma, isolation and remoteness.

Connecting people in their communities is now a prime aim of the new National Rural Mental Health Forum. Jim Hume, the convenor of the Forum for Support in Mind Scotland, explained: "We know that one in four Scots suffer mental ill health at some point in their lives, and now we know that tackling mental ill health in rural Scotland has its own challenges.

"Mental ill health can be more difficult to tackle in remoter parts of Scotland, due to isolation, transport issues and stigma. The National Rural Mental Health Forum is in a unique position to help rural communities tackle mental ill health through the outreach of the rural organisation members of the Forum, the expertise of mental health organisation members and this ground breaking research.

"Mental ill health can be prevented and can be treated, especially with early intervention. The Forum and its members are keen to take action by raising awareness in rural communities and normalising talking about mental ill health."

Commenting on this week's publication of the survey's final report, NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick, said: “There is genuine momentum building behind regional and national initiatives that seek to support and assist those who may be struggling and, largely due to the Forum’s efforts, the Scottish Government’s recently published mental health strategy recognises the need to address the unique challenges faced by those who live and work in our countryside.

“The survey results must act as a platform to tackle the stigma that still exists around mental health in a traditional industry like farming. There is clearly much more that must be done to talk frankly and openly about mental health issues in farming and crofting circles, while at the same time raising awareness of the organisations that are there to help.”