4. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding actions to tackle mental health problems amongst farmers and crofters. (S6O-02199)

I regularly engage with farmers and crofters to discuss actions on the range of challenges that they face and, in turn, I raise those points with relevant ministers. In the case of mental health, that is the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care and his team.

The Scottish Government takes the mental health of our farmers and crofters seriously. Over the past financial year, we committed £50,000 to supporting the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution and £50,000 to the national rural mental health forum. We recognise that the sector continues to face significant challenges and we are fully committed to working with it to address those challenges where we can.

Depression and suicide rates for farmers are among the highest of any occupation. Tragically, those figures are growing and the situation is getting worse. What steps will the Scottish Government take to not only halt but reverse that trend?

That is, of course, a really worrying trend. I welcome the member raising this important topic in the chamber, which I know we will discuss further during his colleague’s member’s business debate tomorrow.

Every life that is lost to suicide is an enormous tragedy that has a devastating and long-lasting impact on families, friends and communities. That is why the work of organisations such as RSABI and the national rural mental health forum, and why continuing to support them, is so vital. I cannot direct people enough to the resources that those organisations have available 24/7, such as a helpline and web chat. It is really important that not just I but other members across the chamber highlight those avenues of support to people, so that they know that they can reach out and seek that help and that it will be available to them.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

I have a supplementary from Jim Fairlie.

I would like to withdraw my supplementary, please.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

That is duly noted.