Efra raises major concerns in rural mental health report

A report from the cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) committee has raised concerns over the state of mental health across rural communities in England, and has called for urgent government action.

The report found that isolation, poor transport connections and rural poverty have negatively affected the mental wellbeing of farmworkers, farmers and rural vets.

The particular stressors on farmers  – such as unpredictable weather, animal health issues and uncertainty over government policies – are all contributing to the mental health crisis.

See also: Mental Health Awareness Week: Farmers share wellbeing tips

Some of the worst affected were found to be vets, who regularly encounter animal mortality, disease and distressing TB results. 

MPs also heard how the needs of rural communities are not being met by mental health planning services provided by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and that there is a pattern of underreporting rural deprivation.

The report was also critical of Defra for the data gaps surrounding rural mental health, but found sufficient evidence to show that agricultural and veterinary workers have higher rates of death by suicide when compared to the general population.

Efra committee chairman Sir Robert Goodwill said: “Rural communities face a unique set of challenges. High on the list are limited access to mental health services, poor public transport and unpredictable crises like animal diseases.  

“All this has an inevitable toll on peoples’ mental health – and yet the mental health services that people in rural areas can access are few and far between.

“Rural mental health needs to be a top priority for Defra.”

The committee has put forward several key recommendations.

These include calling for Defra to establish a joint rural mental health policy alongside the DHSC to improve access to vital services, and to fund the rollout of mental health first aid training within rural communities.