RSABI has announced it was embarking on a recruitment drive as it looks to focus on suicide prevention in Scotland's farming and crofting communities.
Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day today (September 10), the charity highlighted that as well as working long hours, the isolation of modern farming and lack of social contact, along with the impact of the increased cost of living, are factors which can have a major impact on the mental wellbeing of people in farming.
The new position, being delivered in partnership with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), will see RSABI for the first time benefit from a full-time member of staff focused on suicide prevention work in Scottish agriculture.
The new role will add to a range of mental health initiatives RSABI was delivering to help provide emotional support to people in Scottish agriculture.
Counselling
RSABI has also seen demand for is free counselling services increase significantly over the past year with over 1000 free counselling sessions provided to people in Scottish agriculture in the past year.
RSABI's Health Hut initiative, with nurses and doctors setting up health huts at marts and shows, was looking to encourage farmers to seek professional medical advice.
A wellbeing app – Thrive Wellbeing – is also provided free of charge by RSABI.
Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI, said the development of the new role in partnership with SAMH was a vital step forward.
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"We know that sadly we are still losing far too many people of all ages in Scottish agriculture to suicide and too often our welfare team sees the devastating impact this has on families and friends bereaved by suicide. The impact of these deaths on our closeknit Scottish farming and crofting communities, is huge."
She added the new recruit would also lead on new research to increase understanding of factors relating to suicide.
Dan Farthing, head of suicide prevention at SAMH, said the agricultural sector has always been demanding but there were now 'mounting pressures as the economics of farming change'.
"Climate change and workforce challenges are adding considerably to those pressures, and we are concerned that is adding to the risk of suicide in the community."
He added this was ‘really important as a step towards improving the understanding of suicide in the sector and creating opportunities to have meaningful conversations'.
Help
RSABI's freephone 24/7 Helpline is 0808 1234 555 and live webchat 24/7 via www.rsabi.org.uk. If you have serious concerns for your own or someone else's safety, it is important to call 999.
If you are distressed, struggling to cope or thoughts of suicide, you can contact NHS 24 by phoning 111, or Samaritans by phoning 116 123 or emailing [email protected].
In non-urgent situations, you can contact the SAMH information service (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri) to chat about mental health or get more information about mental health support in your area on 0344 800 0550 or [email protected].
You can text Shout on 85258 any time. Or call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am or between Friday 6pm-Monday 6am.
