Concern has been raised surrounding the poor mental health facing many Scottish farmers.Tragically one farmer per week takes their own life as they struggle to cope with everyday pressures.
Now Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, has highlighted the high risk being experienced within the farming fraternity.
He has lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament urging it to recognise the enormous emotional strain and pressures that many farmers are currently facing surrounding meat production, trade deals, climate crisis and biodiversity loss.
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP has also welcomed a new project managed by the University of Stirling and Scotland’s rural College to address farmers’ mental health.
He said: “I think it is crucial that farmers get as much mental health support as possible especially as many are now under even greater outside pressure.
“I hope the study will establish preferences for help and types of support that are more acceptable and effective in supporting our farmers’ mental health in the near future.
“It is also important that we recognise the massive contribution farming makes to the Scottish economy alone totalling nearly £920 million.”
https://www.supportinmindscotland.org.uk/national-rural-mental-health-forum
