Farm minister pledges to complete Rabi mental health training

Defra farming minister Mark Spencer has pledged to undertake rural charity the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution’s (Rabi) accredited mental health training, lending his support to a new year-long campaign to empower the wellbeing of farming people.

Speaking at the launch event at the House of Lords on Wednesday 17 April, Mr Spencer addressed a room of about 100 politicians and industry figures for the launch of the charity’s “Empowering the Worth and Wellbeing of Farming People” initiative.

See also: Why is farming’s biggest charity moving into policy?

Mr Spencer said he was pleased to see a growing awareness of mental health in the farming industry, and thanked Rabi for the work it is doing.

He added: “I know firsthand the stressors that come with farming, and looking out for the welfare of those within the industry, your friends and neighbours, and those who you care deeply about, is something we can all do, and all participate in.

“As you may know, Rabi provides accredited mental health training for people who regularly visit farms, so they can spot symptoms before an issue becomes a crisis, and normalise conversations around mental health.

“I think that is a brilliant scheme, and I am more than happy to pledge that I will undertake that training myself, and I would encourage others to take up the offer.”

Pledging support for the cause was a major theme of the event, with Rabi also announcing an additional £10m in funding, which will go towards increasing its rural mental health services over the next five years.