Boost for rural mental health

While life in the country may often look idyllic to many involved in the urban rat-race, there has been a growing recognition that rural areas are far from immune from the stresses and anxieties which cause mental health issues.

And this growing recognition has helped gain the National Rural Mental Health Forum a £50,000 award from the Scottish Government – aimed at helping the organisation champion change in rural people’s mental wellbeing.

Forum convene, former MSP Jim Hume, said that those living in the countryside could experience depression, suicidal thoughts and feelings, selfharming behaviour and anxiety disorders, just like any other sector of society – no matter their age, gender or location.

But he added that feelings of isolation and helplessness were often accentuated by remoteness, stigma and fear.

He said it was important that people could connect before their mental health crisis occurred and this was best done locally in “low-level”, non-clinical settings.

Hume said that the forum – consisting of 50 organisations across rural Scotland – welcomed the Scottish Government support.

“This will make a real difference in raising awareness, tackling the stigma, informing policy and developing community support for those who struggle with poor mental health in rural Scotland,” he said.

The funding will be used to improve how the forum delivers mental health support services by challenging the negative connotations associated with mental health issues, encouraging people to seek help, promoting knowledge exchange and further supporting community-led mental wellbeing.

Rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The rural economy is only as healthy as the individuals and communities who help to drive it forward. That is why the provision of practical advice around maintaining good mental health is vital, particularly given the need to support those living and working in rural communities during the uncertainty of Brexit.”