Published: November 2023
The recent release of the government's response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) has sparked deep concern within Rural Mental Health Matters, the sole organization representing the rural voice in England and Wales.
This response comes after 18 months of the organization's active contribution to the inquiry into rural mental health.
The government's response to the EFRA Committee's inquiry into rural mental health raises significant concerns. As the sole voice for rural communities in England and Wales, Rural Mental Health Matters calls for urgent public support to address the pressing issues faced by those living in rural areas.
Image of two women sitting cross-legged on a bed with white sheets. They both have short brown hair and one is comforting the other while she cries.
Last year, Rural Mental Health Matters' Founder was invited to the Houses of Parliament to provide evidence and insights into the inquiry. The EFRA Committee recognizes this as a pivotal opportunity to instigate significant changes that could greatly impact rural communities.
However, the government's response, released on November 3rd, 2023, has raised eyebrows within the EFRA Committee. They express concerns about the government's degree of complacency on the critical issue of rural mental health.
The EFRA Committee, in its evaluation of the government's response, notes,"This was an opportunity to make significant changes which could greatly impact our rural communities. With this response, the Government demonstrates a worrying degree of complacency on the issue.”
A bird's eye view of a field with a division, splitting one sunlit grassy field from a field of yelllowed dry grasses.
Melanie Costas, Founder and CEO of Rural Mental Health Matters, has expressed deep concern over the government's rejection of urgent pleas to address rural inequalities. Costas emphasizes the significant role isolation plays in suicide and highlights the substantial challenges and barriers faced by rural communities in accessing necessary support.
Isolation poses a massive risk factor in rural suicide rates, making it imperative to address the unique challenges faced by individuals living in rural communities.
People in rural areas encounter substantial challenges and barriers when seeking mental health support. The government's response, as perceived by Rural Mental Health Matters, signals a concerning lack of commitment to addressing these issues.
In response to the government's apparent withdrawal of support for rural communities, the team at Rural Mental Health Matters urges the public to rally behind our cause. The organization stresses the gravity of the situation and the need for collective support to address the challenges faced by rural populations.
Image shows two people holding hands, facing each other.
The government's perceived complacency over rural mental health, as highlighted by the EFRA Committee and Rural Mental Health Matters, underscores the urgency for public support. Melanie Costas urges individuals to join the cause, emphasizing that the government has effectively washed its hands of support for rural communities.
For those interested in delving deeper into the issue, the EFRA Committee's report and the government's response can be accessed here and here respectively.
To support Rural Mental Health Matters and contribute to our cause, contact us at helloRMHM@gmail.com.