RSABI appoints first suicide prevention lead

The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rsabi) has appointed its first full-time suicide prevention lead, a significant step in addressing rising suicide rates in agriculture and offering vital support to those at risk.

Josie Barclay, who comes from a farming family in Moray, joins Rsabi with two years’ experience as a senior mental health practitioner.

She holds a social work degree and a postgraduate certificate mental health officer award from Robert Gordon University.

See also: Poor mental health key factor in UK dairy farmer exodus

Funded by The Alistair and Margaret Miller Charitable Trust, the new role is designed to enhance Rsabi’s ability to support people in Scotland’s farming and crofting communities who may be struggling with their mental health.

Partnerships

Ms Barclay’s role will focus on building stronger partnerships with specialist organisations, in line with the Scottish government’s suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.

She will also lead a major research project exploring suicide in the agricultural sector.

Carol McLaren, Rsabi’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Josie to the team at Rsabi, especially at a time when there is so much excellent work being done and so many opportunities to amplify great initiatives with the power to be truly transformational, such as Suicide Prevention Scotland’s ‘What if…’ campaign.”

She continued: “Josie’s appointment, along with a major piece of research we will be starting shortly, will allow us to raise more awareness of suicide prevention in the farming community.”

The announcement comes alongside the launch of Scotland’s new National Suicide Prevention Campaign, which asks, “What if a conversation about suicide could save a life?”

The campaign aims to reduce stigma and give people the confidence to speak up.

A new website – suicideprevention.scot  – offers tools, information, and a local services directory.