UK Inquiry Tracker

Rural mental health

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry

Opened: 16 Nov 2021 Closed: 9 Nov 2023 Parliament page

Improving the quality of mental health provision has been an increasing priority for the Government and the NHS in recent years. The NHS Long Term Plan, published on 7 January 2019 sets out the NHS’s aim to advancing mental health equalities, and commits it to providing an additional 380,000 people … Read more Improving the quality of mental health provision has been an increasing priority for the Government and the NHS in recent years. The NHS Long Term Plan, published on 7 January 2019 sets out the NHS’s aim to advancing mental health equalities, and commits it to providing an additional 380,000 people per year with access to adult psychological therapies by 2023/24. Mental health support is often concentrated in areas of high population and access to services in rural and remote communities can be limited to a lack of facilities and other factors, such as limited public transport. It’s been argued that the low visibility of mental health service in these communities can lead to culture of self-reliance which can prevent people from seeking support earlier, instead only seeking support when they have already reached ‘crisis’ stage. The quality of mental health support in rural areas are in response to “shocks” – such a flood and animal culls - has also been raised the Committees inquiries into other topics. Farming and other agricultural related professions are known to face particular mental health challenges, with higher than average rates of depression and suicide. The Farm Safety Foundation reporting that that one farmer a week in the UK dies by suicide whilst research by Edinburgh University has shown that the rate of suicide in the veterinary profession is at least three times that of the general population. According to the Farm Safety Foundation, 81% of farmers under 40 believe that mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today and 92% believe that promoting good mental health is “crucial” if lives are to be saved and farmers kept safe. Our call for evidence ended on 21st January 2022. We understand that the issues raised in this work may be sensitive or upsetting and the following organisations may be able to offer support or further information: Samaritans – General support for everyone. Call 116 123 - 24 hours a day, every day Email jo@samaritans.org Mind – for information, advice, and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Call: 0300 123 3393. Citizens Advice - For independent, free advice provided by a network of charities online, over the phone and in person on a wide variety of issues including benefits, work, debt, housing, family and immigration. Adviceline is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848 Show less

21 Recommendations

10 Conclusions

1 Report

5 Oral sessions

5 Events

Activity timeline 12 events

3 Nov
2023

Report published

Seventh Special Report - Rural Mental Health: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report

18 May
2023

Report published

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

12 Jul
2022

Oral evidence

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

12 Jul
2022

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

21 Jun
2022

Oral evidence

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

21 Jun
2022

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

24 May
2022

Oral evidence

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

24 May
2022

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

26 Apr
2022

Oral evidence

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

26 Apr
2022

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

15 Mar
2022

Oral evidence

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

15 Mar
2022

Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions

12 Jul 2022

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Claire Murdoch · NHS England Gillian Keegan · Department of Health and Social Care Jonathan Baker · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Rt Hon The Lord Benyon · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Samantha Allen · North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board Zoe Seager · Department of Health and Social Care

21 Jun 2022

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Dr Jaspreet Phull · Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Dr Tim Sanders · Royal College of General Practitioners Jacqui Morrissey · Samaritans Kate Miles · DPJ Foundation Professor Jim McManus · Hertfordshire County Council Sarah Connery · Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

24 May 2022

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Carol Stockman · Cotswolds Community Wellbeing Service Danny Hutchinson · Invictus Wellbeing Edward Richardson · Farm Cornwall Janette Smeeton · Derwent Rural Counselling Service Mrs Melinda Raker · You Are Not Alone Stephen Dodsworth · Darlington Farmers Auction Mart Trudy Herniman · Farmerados

26 Apr 2022

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Alicia Chivers · Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution Barbara Piranty · Gloucestershire Rural Community Council Dan Mobbs · Mancroft Advice Project Dr Jude McCann · Farming Community Network Dr Rosie Allister · Vetlife James Russell · British Veterinary Association Karen Black · Off the Record Bristol Melanie Costas · Rural Mental Health Matters

15 Mar 2022

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Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Dr David Rose · University of Reading Dr Rebecca Wheeler · Centre for Rural Policy Research (CRPR), University of Exeter Rachel Hutchings · Nuffield Trust Sarah Hughes · Centre for Mental Health

Reports 1 report · click to expand

Title	HC No.	Published	Items	Response
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health	HC 248	18 May 2023	31	Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

10 results

1 Recommendation Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Incomplete data on rural mental health indicates a serious failure of foresight.

The current data and information relating to the shape and nature of mental health specifically in rural areas, communities and occupations is regrettably incomplete or unavailable and there have been many calls over time for this to be rectified. Given … Read more

Government Response

The government acknowledges the need for current data on rural mental health and states that the next Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey has been commissioned, with fieldwork underway and results expected in early 2025, which will inform improvements for agricultural and veterinary communities.

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4 Conclusion Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Addressing risks and stressors for farming and veterinary workers represents an immediate priority.

In particular, the long list of risks and stressors affecting the farming community and veterinary workers is perhaps the immediate priority, not least because there are real opportunities for substantial gains in this area with significant levers for change in … Read more

Government Response

The government published a new Suicide Prevention Strategy (2023-2028) that identifies priority groups, including agricultural and veterinary workers, and launched a £10 million Suicide Prevention Grant Fund. The Office for National Statistics is also using Census 2021 data to improve understanding of suicide rates in different occupations.

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7 Recommendation Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Create clear objectives and actions for agricultural and veterinary workers in national suicide prevention strategy

We are very concerned by the evidence indicating that agricultural and veterinary workers have a higher-than-average suicide rate compared to the rest of the population. Although more accurate information is needed, a clear enough picture Rural Mental Health 77 was … Read more

Government Response

The government states the new Suicide Prevention Strategy for England 2023-2028 was published on September 11, 2023. This strategy identifies priority groups including agricultural and veterinary workers and sets out steps and actions to tackle known risk factors. The Office for National Statistics is also using Census 2021 data to improve understanding of suicide rates in different occupations to help prioritise actions.

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13 Conclusion Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Rural communities face inaccessible NHS mental health services due to centralisation, transport, and connectivity

We conclude that NHS mental health services are often not fairly accessible for rural communities, with centralised services creating barriers to access, compounded by poor rural transport and weak digital connectivity.

Government Response

The government acknowledges accessibility challenges for rural mental health services and outlines existing initiatives under 'Unleashing Rural Opportunities,' including work to improve transport, digital connectivity, and digitally enabled care pathways, with future collaboration on transport systems.

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14 Recommendation Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Improve rural mental health service access through mobile provision, community involvement, and stigma reduction

Locally the NHS must focus on providing rural communities with good access to services in terms of location and/or via mobile or outreach services, through effective consultation and co-design, and bring the voluntary and community sector into the delivery landscape … Read more

Government Response

The government acknowledges the importance of accessible rural mental health services, stating work is already underway through Integrated Care Systems and local public health teams. It rejects launching a new consultation, preferring existing accountability mechanisms.

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21 Recommendation Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Set out timeline and process to revise Index of Multiple Deprivation for rural deprivation.

We recommend that DEFRA and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities set out a timeline and process by which to review and revise the Index of Multiple Deprivation with the aim of more accurately capturing rural deprivation. The … Read more

Government Response

The government recognizes that the current Index of Multiple Deprivation does not adequately capture rural deprivation and has commissioned an update to the English Indices of Deprivation, with a provisional release anticipated in 2025.

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22 Conclusion Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Rural communities receive minimal NHS mental health support during and after crisis events.

Crisis events can have short- and long-term effects on people’s mental health, but civil society groups told us NHS support is minimal or short-term, despite greater support being likely to help people deal more successfully with trauma. Rural health providers … Read more

Government Response

The government outlined existing guidance, partnerships with charities, and multi-agency coordination through Local Resilience Forums for mental health support during emergencies. It stated there are no plans for a dedicated funding stream for rural mental health needs, though Defra and DHSC recognise the need for close planning and provision of support.

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23 Recommendation Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Adopt proactive approach to mental health implications of rural crisis and shock events.

However, as more extreme weather events are predicted to occur, the Government and NHS England need to adopt a more proactive approach to the mental health and well-being implications of crisis and shock events rather than just leaving it to … Read more

Government Response

The government highlighted existing guidance from the UK Health Security Agency, collaborations between the Environment Agency and charitable organizations, and multi-agency coordination through Local Resilience Forums for mental health support during emergencies. It also stated that there are no plans for a dedicated funding stream for rural mental health needs, though Defra and DHSC recognize the importance of careful planning and provision.

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27 Recommendation Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Address occupational demands and cultural barriers preventing rural workers taking time away.

The Government should look at how to respond to the occupational demands placed on farmers, agricultural and veterinary workers and any cultural barriers that: prevent these workers from taking time away from work, are detrimental for mental health without opportunity … Read more

Government Response

The government highlights its close existing work and regular engagement with the veterinary profession, and points to several initiatives already in place by organisations like the RCVS and BVA to support the mental health of veterinary professionals. It does not commit to new government action to specifically examine and respond to the occupational demands and cultural barriers.

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28 Recommendation Accepted

Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health

Establish DEFRA working group to explore leave and support options for rural workers.

Although it will be challenging for the Government to address this given such occupations can involve lone workers in often isolated rural locations, we recommend that DEFRA sets up a working group to: a) explore options to establish or expand … Read more

Government Response

The government highlights its close existing work and regular engagement with the veterinary profession, and points to several initiatives already in place by organisations like the RCVS and BVA to support the mental health of veterinary professionals. It does not commit to setting up a new working group or undertaking the specific explorations and reviews recommended by the committee.

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Government Response AI assessment · 31 of 21 classified

Accepted 10

Accepted in Part 4

Acknowledged 7

Not Addressed 2

Rejected 8

Total 21 recs + 10 conclusions