Tim Farrons secures meeting with Minister over mental health support for farmers

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, local MP Tim Farron secured a meeting with the Minister for Health Innovation and Safety to discuss providing more support for farmers who are struggling with their mental health.

Tim highlighted the work of The Farmer Network - an independent, not-for-profit support organisation for farmers and their families in Cumbria, the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland.

Speaking in Parliament during a question on men’s mental health, Tim said: “The suicide rate amongst men in Cumbria is twice the national average. 

“There are a whole range of reasons why that is so. One of them is clearly bound up in isolation and rurality.

“I wonder whether the Minister would be willing to meet with myself and The Farmer Network as we seek to deliver mental health answers to people struggling.

“Some 25% of farmers are below the poverty line, often isolated and dealing with transition at times of enormous stress and anxiety with nowhere to turn.

“Would she agreed to meet with me and The Farmer Network, so we can address this particular cause of this appalling tragedy in our county.

Responding, Preet Kaur Gill MP said: “Can I thank my honourable friend for raising that really important issue?

“We must not overlook the needs of farmers.

“Our mental health strategy has invested an extra £3.6million in suicide prevention work in the most deprived parts of England, where men faced the greatest risk of suicide.

“We are partnering with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiatives to meet men where they are on their terms so they don't suffer in silence.

“I look forward to working with him and meeting with him to hear more about this.”