Rural help agencies are pulling out the stops during the Covid-19 crisis to support farmers of all ages with mental or physical health issues and any financial pressures or practical problems.
RSABI, which is known as Scotland’s rural charity, has emphasised it is also a service to the industry and available to everyone, rich and poor, and has teamed up with the Rural Youth Project (RYP) to host a mental health webinar later this month to give advice on how to get through the quarantine.
RYP project officer Alana Black said there are concerns that feelings of isolation and loneliness in rural communities will be compounded during lockdown, and emphasised the importance of knowing how to spot the signs in friends, family and yourself.
She said: “I think people forget that you don’t have to be an expert to reach out to someone you think is struggling.
“All you need to be is a great friend and a good listener and we hope this webinar will help signpost young people on where to go for advice and give them the confidence to take the first step and reach out.”
The webinar will take place on April 29 at 5.30pm. People can register their interest at
ruralyouthproject.com/blogs-news/mental-health-webinar-29-april-530pm
.
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
