Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 248
18 May 2023
Recommendations
7 results
1
Accepted
Para 43
Incomplete data on rural mental health indicates a serious failure of foresight.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
7
Accepted
Para 81
Create clear objectives and actions for agricultural and veterinary workers in national suicide prevention strategy
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
14
Accepted
Para 121
Improve rural mental health service access through mobile provision, community involvement, and stigma reduction
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
21
Accepted
Para 144
Set out timeline and process to revise Index of Multiple Deprivation for rural deprivation.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
23
Accepted
Para 155
Adopt proactive approach to mental health implications of rural crisis and shock events.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
27
Accepted
Para 171
Address occupational demands and cultural barriers preventing rural workers taking time away.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
28
Accepted
Establish DEFRA working group to explore leave and support options for rural workers.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Conclusions (3) Observations and findings — click to expand
4
Conclusion
Accepted
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 the Government’s hands. (Paragraph 46) Suicide prevention and agricultural and …
Government Response Summary
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.
13
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 120
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 Summary
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.
22
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 154
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 suggested only limited local planning takes place with no extra …
Government Response Summary
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.