NFU Scotland has issued an invitation to farmers to attend the first mental health conference in the north-east next month.
The event in Inverurie on November 7 will hear from local farmer Kevin Gilbert and former union vice-president Gary Mitchell about some of the mental health challenges they have overcome, as well as representatives from the National Rural Mental Health Forum, NHS Grampian, Robert Gordon University, Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland and rural charity RSABI.
The union’s regional chairman, Davie Winton, called on local members to participate in the conference.
“The huge stresses in our industry nowadays mean that we are all aware of someone somewhere who is suffering,” he said.
“This event will help us all better recognise the early symptoms of depression and show us how best to help support each other to get through the dark days. The quality of speakers is phenomenal, and this event should be a real cracker.”
The conference will be chaired by the union’s chief executive, Scott Walker, and speakers include Chris Littlejohn of NHS Grampian and Professor Liz Hancock, vice-principal of RGU.
They will outline the work being undertaken in the north-east to help better understand the magnitude and scale of the challenges farming faces.
Prof Hancock said the university was working in close collaboration with NHS Grampian and the union to develop tools to enhance the mental wellbeing of the Scottish farming population.
She added: “To date, a full systematic review of literature has been undertaken and members of the farming community have been interviewed, to explore opinions on their mental health and wellbeing, and what can be done to improve it. We look forward to sharing our findings at the event.”
The conference takes place on Thursday November 7 at 7pm in the Kintore Arms, Inverurie.