Helen wears ‘green ribbon’ in call for action on rural mental health

Helen Morgan has launched a call for action on service provision in rural areas, wearing a green ribbon for Mental Health Awareness Week.

This comes after the publication of an Environment and Rural Affairs Committee report finding isolation, poor public transport and a relative lack of digital connectivity as parts of a ‘pattern where rural communities’ needs are not fully reflected’ in the provision of services.

The report noted how rural workers including farmers and vets face particular stresses, issues familiar to many across Shropshire.

Cross-party suggestions to improve the situation include a new joint rural mental health policy and delivery team, DEFRA taking a more active role in national suicide prevention policy, the expansion of preventative mental health support, and an upgrade in local preparedness for the fallout from crises like flooding.

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire said:

“This Mental Health Awareness Week, I wanted to wear the green ribbon and raise the issue of provision in rural areas like North Shropshire.

“It’s particularly appropriate given the recent Parliamentary report which outlined how a toxic cocktail of poor public transport, poor digital connectivity, and rising rural isolation have led to a gap in service provision between rural areas and their urban counterparts.

“Every week, three people in the UK farming and agricultural industry die by suicide. The stresses of life and levels of isolation in these roles take a human toll on families up and down our county, and yet we see almost no real investment in the health services that could give the support people need.”