SUPPORT AVAILABLE OR POTATO INDUSTRY WORKERS IN UK
A NEW foundation has been launched which can provide support and improve the mental health of potato growers and employees in rural areas of the UK.
The Rural Communities Mental Health Foundation is primarily dedicated to supporting people in Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, and Bedfordshire. However, it will extend its services to anyone approaching them from other counties.
To achieve its aims, the Foundation is engaging with everyone in the community, including growers and farm workers, rural businesses such as machinery dealerships and Young Farmer’s Clubs.
It will facilitate collaborative working amongst local and regional organisations and charities to achieve the collective aim of better mental health and suicide prevention in rural areas.
The Rural Communities Mental Health Foundation was co-founded by Kate Scott and Lewis Hunter who previously lost their brothers to suicide and have since identified a need for a dedicated mental health awareness and suicide prevention charity locally.
Potato growing, like many agricultural practices, can be extremely challenging and those in the industry spend a lot of time alone, while the impact of external socio-economic and political factors, as well as the unpredictability of the seasons, can take a toll on the mental health of those in the industry, they stated.
Kate said: “It’s our aim to help anyone struggling with their mental health realise they’re not alone and help and support is out there.
“We will deliver funded training to empower people to have more confident and informed conversations, focussing on free Mental Health First Aid training sessions initially, and will work to educate the next generations and normalise the conversation around mental health and suicide.”
Lewis said he hoped the work the charity does will stop people reaching crisis point and give them hope.
Anyone wishing to find out more can contact the team directly here.
