Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
1
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 the strong indications of poorer mental health and well-being in …
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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 the strong indications of poorer mental health and well-being in rural areas, compared to urban ones, there has been a serious failure of logic and foresight in not ensuring that relevant data are collected and at a very granular level.
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Government response AI 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.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
4
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
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 …
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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 veterinary workers
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Government response AI 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 …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
7
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 already established for the Government’s national suicide prevention strategy (published …
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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 already established for the Government’s national suicide prevention strategy (published over ten years ago) to identify both as high-risk occupational groups and take clear steps to improve the situation. Given this, we were dismayed by the lack of focus on them evident in recent strategy progress reports and the cross-government suicide prevention workplan. Compared to other departments of state and their client groups, whether prisoners, military veterans or those in serious debt, DEFRA appears to have a very limited role in this area. The Government should address this shortcoming by creating clear objectives and actions when revising the national strategy.
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Government response AI 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 …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
13
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 AI 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.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
14
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 given its expertise in early intervention as trusted providers. It …
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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 given its expertise in early intervention as trusted providers. It should put effort into reducing the stigma of mental health to support help-seeking behaviours.
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Government response AI 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.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
21
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 Government should commit to reaching a position by the end …
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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 Government should commit to reaching a position by the end of this year, 2023, whereby it can commence a consultation on draft changes to the Index and guidance for decision-makers, and how the Index should be used to support funding decisions.
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Government response AI 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.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
22
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 …
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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 resources being available, while NHS England suggested more funding could be made available. An ICS told us much work is underway to plan for crisis events. NHS England was focused on the “clinical” response with ICSs leading “on the ground” and expected to make best use of “tools” provided by the Government.
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Government response AI 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 …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
23
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 local areas. We welcome the provision of Mental Health First …
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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 local areas. We welcome the provision of Mental Health First Aid training for front-line public sector staff working with rural communities during crises. We also welcome the fact that advice and easements are available to help farmers cope with the financial challenges.
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Government response AI 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 …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
27
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 for respite, or are a block on taking time off …
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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 for respite, or are a block on taking time off when sick or injured to recover and to dealing with mental ill-health.
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Government response AI 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 …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
28
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Rural Mental Health
Accepted
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 models such as a cooperative or insurance cover system for …
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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 models such as a cooperative or insurance cover system for agricultural workers; and a locum/ GP-holiday-cover model for veterinary workers to provide greater access to leave away from work and to take time off sick to recover from mental ill-health, and b) review provisions with the veterinary profession to consider how veterinary workers can be supported to maintain their licence to practise during periods of ill-health or sickness absence. (Paragraph 172) 82 Rural Mental Health Improving rural communities as places to live
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Government response AI 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 …
Read full response →
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs