RSABI WORKING TO HELP PREVENT FARMING SUICIDES
RSABI has introduced a full-time Suicide Prevention role reflecting the importance the organisation is placing on supporting farmers and crofters with their mental health.
Working alongside SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), the new role aims to maximise the opportunity for partnership working and collaboration with specialist organisations involved in suicide prevention, in line with the Scottish Government’s Prevention Strategy, “Creating Hope Together”.
“Tragically, Scottish agriculture is still losing too many people of a wide range of ages and circumstances, to suicide but there is some great work being done on mental health and there are many reasons for hope and positivity, and many proactive steps that we know can make a difference,” said Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI.
Farmers often work long and unsociable hours helping to create the feeling to total isolation and a lack of social contact. Additionally, financial worries can add to the problem and have a major impact on the mental wellbeing of people in farming.
Dan Farthing, Head of Suicide Prevention with SAMH, emphasises that on occasions when people are concerned they should have the confidence to ask someone directly if they are having thoughts of suicide.
“Unfortunately, we know that people can hesitate to ask someone if they are having thoughts of suicide. People often worry about planting a seed of an idea, but research is clear that talking about suicide reduces the risk of suicide.”
RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services. Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day on 0808 1234 555 or through a confidential webchat service, available here.
If you have a question about mental health, you can contact the SAMH Information Service on 0344 800 0550 or visit its website at www.samh.org.uk. Samaritans are available to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
NHS Breathing Space phone service is available by calling 0800 838587.
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