This role involves working in collaboration with leading mental health organisations in Scotland, develop and deliver a programme of suicide prevention tailored for the farming community in Scotland.

The new position, being delivered in partnership with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), will see RSABI benefit for the first time from a full-time member of staff focused on crucial suicide prevention work in Scottish agriculture.

As well as working long hours, the isolation of modern farming and lack of social contact, along with the impact of the increased cost of living, are factors which can have a major impact on the mental wellbeing of people in farming.

The aim is to maximise the opportunity for partnership working and collaboration with specialist organisations involved in suicide prevention.

One priority will be to improve understanding of suicide in Scotland’s farming and crofting communities and increase awareness of the ways everyone can play a part in suicide prevention.

The new role is set to add to a range of mental health initiatives RSABI is delivering to help provide emotional support to people in Scottish agriculture, which sadly has a poor track record in terms of mental health and suicide.

In the past two years RSABI has delivered mental health first aid training, working with former Royal Marines at IED Training Solutions, to over 700 people working in the frontline of Scottish agriculture, to educate them on what to say and do when someone is struggling.

The charity also works very closely with the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) and has started an ambitious programme of Suicide Prevention training this summer with young farmers, working with Papyrus, a charity which specialises in suicide prevention in young people.

RSABI has also seen demand for is free counselling services increase significantly, with over 1000 free counselling sessions provided to people in Scottish agriculture in the past year.

The fact that farmers are often reluctant to seek help from a health professional at an early stage can also contribute to mental and physical problems. To help tackle this, and encourage farmers to seek professional advice, RSABI is rolling out a Health Hut initiative with a dedicated team of nurses and doctors setting up health huts in auction marts and at agricultural shows throughout the country.

A wellbeing app – Thrive Wellbeing – is also provided free of charge by RSABI, following a successful pilot programme.