EDM: World Mental Health Day and rural communities

World Mental Health Day and rural communities

Tabled by Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat) 59 signatures

The motion

That this House recognises World Mental Health Day; is concerned about the mental wellbeing of the nation’s agricultural and rural communities; is worried by the findings of RABI’s Big Farming Survey that revealed 36% of respondents had mental wellbeing scores sufficiently low enough to cause concern; is aware that farmers are working in ever increasingly difficult circumstances; is alarmed by new research from the Farm Safety Foundation revealing that 44% of farmers aged between 41 and 60 are working more than 80 hours a week; notes the link between mental health and financial stability; is further alarmed by research from Riverford Organic that 61% of farmers feel that they will have to give up their farms in the next 18 months due to financial pressures; calls on the Government to ensure that the agricultural budget is not reduced; welcomes actions from groups such as Farmerados who provide spaces for farmers to talk and connect; further notes the impact of rural isolation; believes that there should be greater integration between Government departments in supporting rural communities to access mental health services; and supports the extended rollout of rural health hubs.

Signatories (59)