Blooming June - Jun 7, 2023
June
Dry for many and critical for others whilst a welcome respite for some; – June has begun as it has done for a few years now – dry for a prolonged period. This means a good start for young birds but also a concern for water requiring filling up supplies wherever they may be – in drinkers or scrapes or plastic drums and cut down lids.
Meantime there seems to be considerable interest in booking shooting later on, and more optimism as a whole with the usual caveats.
The Environmental and Rural Affairs Committee have completed their findings on Rural Mental Health which was published at the end of last month and say:
The available picture of rural mental health across England is complicated and incomplete due to gaps in health data, the suppression of demand by over-centralised services, and the under-reporting of rural deprivation which is inextricably linked to poor mental well-being. While our evidence did not point to a mental health crisis in rural England or the agricultural community, there are several areas of considerable concern—as well as sufficient doubt over the efficacy and granularity of the available data—to make urgent and meaningful Government action on rural mental health essential. Our evidence highlighted a very consistent set of concerns, risks and exacerbating challenges to rural mental health in England—often with reference to the on-going impacts of Covid, Brexit, the economic ramifications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, labour shortages, retailer power, shock events, uncertainty over future finances and business succession plans, isolation, trade liberalisation and the cost of living. While access to nature and the countryside is consistently identified as beneficial for people’s mental health in general and often prescribed through ‘green social prescribing’, our evidence is clear that the isolation inherent in rural living represents a significant challenge to the mental health of adults, children, and young people living in rural areas. It also demonstrates that there are additional and unquantifiable negative pressures on mental well-being within rural communities and amongst farmers, farm workers and veterinary surgeons.
Our inquiry’s key findings and recommendations are: • Rural communities’ needs are not fully reflected in mental health policy and services and national NHS planning. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (DEFRA) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) should establish a new joint rural mental health policy and delivery team to: lead and improve on current “rural proofing” of health policy; and work with NHS England (NHSE) to set targets to measure and improve outcomes for rural mental health services and support rural health providers.
As gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies we know the challenges and restrictions we have, pertaining seeking help for our mental health. As GWT we are trying to do our bit through the health initiatives, support, helpline and so on but most of all we urge you all to listen and talk to each other. If you have any ideas on how we can improve our service do let us know and don’t be afraid to ask – we are here in confidence, anytime.
Watch out for our health checks in various parts of the country, come and say hello as we attend events at Game Fairs etc and don't forget the Lady Scott Awards and Young Gamekeeper Awards. There is still time to send your nominations. Your partners and families deserve a mention I am sure you will agree.
Helen