The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has described the UK government’s response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee’s rural mental health report as a ‘slap in the face’ to farmers and rural communities.
In its response to committee recommendations for a National Working Group on suicide prevention specific to agricultural and veterinary occupations, the government said its Suicide Prevention Strategy, published in September, already encompasses those living in rural areas.
The government also rejected the EFRA Committee’s recommendation for a joint Defra and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) rural mental health policy and delivery team.
BACP said it is “deeply disappointed” at the government’s response to the EFRA Committee’s report today (Friday, November 3).
Head of policy and public affairs at BACP, Martin Bell, said: “The government’s response to the EFRA Committee report feels like a slap in the face to rural workers and communities, and we believe they are seriously failing our farmers.
“Faced with a unique set of challenges, every week three people in the UK farming and agricultural industry die by suicide.
“Male farm workers are also three times more likely to take their own lives than the male national average.
“The government’s current support package for rural communities is simply not enough – so much more is needed, particularly with regards to making psychological therapies more accessible.”
EFRA report
The EFRA Committee’s report in May found that rural workers including farmers face particular stresses, including unpredictable weather and animal health crises, and cited changing and uncertain government policies as affecting their incomes as well as their mental health.
The committee said vets regularly deal with animal mortality, epidemics and “disturbing situations” around testing for tuberculosis (TB), and are “especially affected by stress”.
The report also called for integrated interventions within the Department of Transport and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to improve access to rural mental health services, which the government turned down in its response.
The government also rejected a recommendation by the committee that called for a consultation on the effectiveness of the ICS-model in providing mental health services to rural communities.
“We know that counselling and therapy can provide an essential lifeline to those in need in rural communities,” Bell said.
“But often people in these communities face barriers to access mental health support – such as a lack of public transport, poor internet connection, and knowing where to access the support.
“However, when these barriers are removed, we know that people will access help and can thrive from it.”
