Working in farming, crofting and in the agricultural industry can be extremely rewarding but can be equally challenging.  The unique factors of long working hours, unpredictable weather, financial pressures and isolation can all impact your mental wellbeing.

If you are struggling with your mental health or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please know you are not alone.   There are many organisations that can provide practical support, information and advice.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Here are details of the RSABI support available and other organisations below who can provide support, information and advice for you or someone you may be worried about. We also have a dedicated page listing organisations who can provide practical and financial support with matters such as housing and employment.

 

RSABI provide practical, emotional and financial support to those working within the Scottish agriculture industry, all support is provided in a friendly, professional and confidential way.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us for support. We also have a short video explaining how to access our Free Counselling Support which is available to watch here.

Phone: 0808 1234 555 – 24 hours a day, every day of the year (free)

Webchat: Click on the chat button on our website- 24 hours a day, every day of the year

Email: helpline@rsabi.org.uk - monitored within office hours – Monday- Friday, 9am – 5pm

There are many support services that can offer you support - here are some organisations outwith RSABI that offer mental health support, information and advice.

 

Suicide Prevention Scotland has a webpage providing support and information for anyone affected by suicide including a directory of support services available across Scotland.

Website: https://www.suicideprevention.scot/

Breathing Space is Scotland’s mental health helpline for individuals experiencing symptoms of low mood, depression, or anxiety, and offers free and confidential advice for individuals over the age of 16.

Phone: 0800 83 85 87 (6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday; and from 6pm Friday throughout the weekend to 6am Monday)

Website: https://www.breathingspace.scot/

Samaritans provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. You can contact Samaritans free:

Phone: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org    Website: https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/

 

NHS24 Mental Health Hub Telephone advice and support on healthcare can be obtained from NHS24 by Phone: 111 (the Mental Health Hub is open 24/7).      Website: https://www.nhs24.scot/

 

Papyrus HOPELINE247 If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person (under age of 35) who might be you can contact HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice.

Phone:  0300 102 2470 ;    Text: 88247

Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Scottish Action for Mental Health: whether you’re seeking support, are looking for more information for you or someone you love, or if you just want to have chat about mental health.

You can also speak to an advisor through Live Web Chat which will pop up when an advisor is available.

Phone: 0344 800 0550 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)

Website: www.samh.org.uk/informationservice  ;  Email: info@samh.org.uk

 

Cruse Bereavement Scotland help people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.

Phone: 0808 802 6161 (Open Weekdays 9am-8pm and Weekends 10am-2pm)

Website: https://www.crusescotland.org.uk/

 

The Canmore Trust provide a 24/7 text-based service if you need to talk to someone and have a number of resources and information available on their website relating to suicide prevention. Text: CANMORE to 85258 (24/7). Website: https://thecanmoretrust.co.uk/  ;   Email: admin@thecanmoretrust.co.uk

 

Change Mental Health provide an advice and support service that is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, where advisers can signpost you to local support that most fits your needs and tells you more about Change Mental Health services that are available across Scotland.

Change Mental Health have a suicide bereavement support service in Highland and Argyll & Bute, full details available on their website below.

Phone: 0808 8010 515 ; Email: advice@changemh.org ; Website: https://changemh.org/

Penumbra Mental Health provide dedicated services for people with mild to serious and enduring mental ill health.  Penumbra also provide a suicide bereavement support service in Ayrshire & Arran.  Full details of all support available across Scotland provided by Penumbra can be found on the website link below.

Website: https://penumbra.org.uk/services/

Childline is a free service for children and young people, for whenever they need support or advice. It is open 24/7, and there are many ways to get support.

Phone: 0800 1111 ; Website: www.childline.org.uk

 

Age Scotland work to improve the lives of people over the age of 50 in Scotland. Providing a free helpline, support older people’s groups, promote age and dementia-friendly communities, deliver wellbeing programmes, and campaign on behalf of older people.

Phone: 0800 12 44 222 ; Website: https://www.agescotland.org.uk/