Suicide is a difficult subject and, for some, it is hard to even say the word out loud. The reality is, however, that most people involved in Scottish agriculture will sadly have been impacted by suicide in one way or another.
Tragically our farming community continues to see far too many untimely deaths as a result of people of all ages taking their lives and it is utterly devastating for those who lose family members, neighbours and friends in this way.
Recent times have seen the loss of young farming people in their teens and early 20s, older working farmers and crofters, and farmers of retirement age. Without exception, they leave behind families and friends wracked with grief, very often bewildered and with a deep sense of loss. This can be accompanied by feelings of guilt and sometimes anger and frustration, because they feel they weren’t able to stop the person ending their life.
Working in partnership with Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), RSABI has developed a new Suicide Prevention Specialist role and in the coming months we hope to start some major research to help us all have a better understanding of many key factors relating to suicides in farming and crofting.
Greater understanding of the risk factors will help to save lives and we can also learn how to better support those bereaved by suicide – not shying away for fear of doing or saying the wrong thing, but offering someone supportive to talk to and sending cards and flowers in the same way we would in other situations of loss.
Each and every person in Scottish agriculture can make a difference and play a crucial role in helping to prevent suicide.
Experts are unanimous that having the confidence to use the word “suicide” and asking someone you are worried about direct if they are having thoughts of suicide can make a big difference.
And the good news is that the stigma of poor mental health is reducing, helped by industry support for initiatives like our #KeepTalking campaign which urges people to look out for each other and make time for those who may be at risk of feeling low or lonely.
Thanks to support from NFU Mutual Charitable Trust we have now provided Mental Health First Aid training to around 800 people working in the frontline with farmers and we are gearing up for our busiest ever year in terms of demand for counselling from farmers.
SAYFC is doing great work too with #AreEweOkay and RESPECT campaigns promoting healthy relationships, kindness and inclusivity and FarmStrong Scotland is sharing wellbeing tips and advice.
There is still a lot to do but – even with new challenges facing farming – this is a time of hope and a time for the farming community to pull together and embrace opportunities to be proactive and positive about mental health.
Please have the confidence to talk about mental health and suicide prevention in farming and please be ready to listen – really listen – and to show kindness and compassion even in the busiest of times. Although you may never know it, you may help to save a life.
By Carol McLaren, CEO, RSABI