A recent report from the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has highlighted growing concerns about the mental health of rural workers, particularly farmers, and the lack of effective government action to address the issue. The report reveals that factors such as unpredictable weather, animal health crises, and changing government policies have created significant stressors for rural communities.
Isolation, poor public transport, and limited digital connectivity in rural areas have also contributed to poor mental health outcomes. Farm workers and veterinarians, in particular, are at risk due to their exposure to challenging situations, such as animal mortality and epidemics.
The report recommended the establishment of a National Working Group on suicide prevention specific to agricultural and veterinary occupations. However, the government rejected this proposal, stating that their Suicide Prevention Strategy covers those in rural areas.
Another recommendation for a joint Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) rural mental health policy and delivery team was also turned down by the government. They believe that existing channels would be more effective.
The report called for integrated interventions with the Department of Transport and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to improve access to rural mental health services, but the government cited a range of actions from their June policy paper, Unleashing Rural Opportunities.
The government’s response also rejected a recommendation for a dedicated rural mental health care funding stream and instead emphasized the need to ensure that support is provided. They did not commit to establishing Early Support Hubs for children and young people in rural areas, stating that they are studying their effectiveness.
The Farm Resilience Fund was suggested to prioritize providing mental health support, but the government believes that the fund’s expert business support will indirectly benefit farmer wellbeing.
In response to the EFRA Committee’s recommendations, the government pointed to The Youth Review conducted in 2021 by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to address rural youth services, stating that it would be premature to have a consultation specific to rural youth services.
Chair of the EFRA Committee, Sir Robert Goodwill, expressed disappointment in the government’s response, citing a lack of recognition of the distinct mental health needs of rural populations and a worrying degree of complacency in addressing the issue.
