Samaritans response to EFRA committee report on rural mental health

Responding to the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs committee report on rural mental health, Jacqui Morrissey, Assistant Director of Research and Influencing at Samaritans, said:

“We know mental health in rural communities is a real issue, with our own research showing that men in particular are less likely to reach out for support if they live in more isolated areas. Suicide prevention is the business of every government department and while the Government’s response to this inquiry is definitely a missed opportunity, I urge Defra to join our calls for the Chancellor to renew ringfenced local suicide prevention funding in his Autumn Statement and demonstrate that the Government is serious about saving lives.”