November 6th 2023

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Government rejects mental health rural-proofing

Rural communities do not require targeted action

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has expressed concern over government complacency over rural mental health.

EFRA has been told that the specific mental health needs of rural communities do not require targeted action and that existing provisions are sufficient to safeguard rural mental health.

EFRA’s report found that rural workers including farmers face particular stresses, including unpredictable weather and animal health crises, as well as changing and uncertain government policies which can affect their incomes as well as their mental health.

MPs expressed deep concern about how isolation, poor public transport and a relative lack of digital connectivity have contributed to poor mental health outcomes for all categories of people across rural communities in England, but especially among farm workers and vets.

The government’s response rejected the committee’s recommendation for a joint DEFRA/DHSC rural mental health policy and delivery team to ensure ‘rural proofing’ of health policy.

The Government said: “We believe existing channels would be a more effective way of achieving this.”

EFRA Chair Sir Robert Goodwill said: “Our committee was hopeful that the Government would recognise the distinct needs and circumstances of the rural population. This was an opportunity to make significant changes which could greatly impact our rural communities. With this response the Government demonstrates a worrying degree of complacency on the issue and so will fail to confront the significant problem of rural mental health.”