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Motion · S6M-17778 · 2 Jun 2025

Raising Awareness of Mental Health in the Farming Community Following the Death of Neil Stewart

Lodged by Rachael Hamilton (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) Standard Motion 31 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament recognises the powerful efforts of the Stewart family in raising awareness of mental health challenges in the farming community following the death of Neil Stewart, a respected cattle farmer who took his own life in 2024; commends Neil’s widow, Caroline Stewart and other family members and friends, for undertaking a 100-mile memorial walk along the Kintyre Way to highlight the issue of suicide in agriculture; notes reports that farming continues to have one of the highest rates of suicide of any industry, with contributing factors including isolation, economic pressures, poor weather conditions, and the stigma that often surrounds mental health; welcomes the launch of a three-year national study into the causes of suicide in farming, which is being conducted by the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) in partnership with the University of Glasgow; acknowledges what it regards as the valuable work of RSABI, Breathing Space, the Samaritans, the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Support In Mind Scotland in providing free and confidential support to those in need, and calls on the Scottish Government to work closely with stakeholders to improve access to mental health support for agricultural workers and to promote a culture in which asking for help is met with understanding, not silence.

Supporters (31)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.