A new forum has been set up to improve mental health provision and awareness in rural Scotland.
The National Rural Mental Health Forum, which brings together organisations from across rural Scotland including NFU Scotland, RSABI and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers’ Clubs (SAYFC), has been backed by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing.
It follows a survey and workshop, organised by Support in Mind Scotland and SRUC, which found 67% of those surveyed in rural areas had experienced depression.
It is hoped the forum will help rural organisations to raise awareness of mental health and encourage people in rural Scotland to ask for help.
Mr Ewing said: “Helping rural communities and businesses thrive is a priority for this government and by enabling good mental health, we can all reach our full potential wherever we live.
“I welcome the new National Rural Mental Health Forum; rural groups working together for a common cause is a strong move forward in the right direction.
“I’m pleased to be supporting this positive initiative with an initial £25,000 to help co-ordinate a national rural focus on mental wellbeing.”
Support in Mind Scotland’s chief executive France Simpson welcomed the government funding and said it would help isolated individuals and their families receive support when and where they needed it.
She added: “Government support for this project will enable use to develop the network further, importantly including people with lived experience as well as organisations with outreach into the nooks and crannies of rural Scotland.
“The forum shall help us to develop policy based on evidence and deliver step change in rural Scotland.”
Last month NFU Scotland teamed up with NHS Grampian go launch a campaign to support farmers with mental health problems.
The Know Who To Turn To campaign aims to make farmers aware of where they can get help and support about mental health issues.
It follows a survey of 250 farmers, carried out by the health board, which revealed almost half wanted more support and information about stress, anxiety and depression.