A campaign to improve rural mental health has been launched by Stuart Anderson, South Shropshire’s Conservatives Parliamentary Candidate. The campaign coincides with the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 13 to 19 May 2024 and is spearheaded by the Mental Health Foundation, which is using the week to help people find moments for movement in their daily routines. To mark the occasion, Stuart has launched a ‘Mental Health Support Hub’ on his website, which signposts residents to government and other help available.
Having previously suffered from poor mental health, Stuart has made improving rural mental health a key part of his plan for better public services in South Shropshire. This includes tackling rural disparities when it comes to healthcare, since people in rural areas may face extra challenges in accessing services they need due to their age and the distance of travel required. Stuart’s Mental Health Support Hub sets out a range of online and physical services which are available to residents from all backgrounds, including veterans and farmers often at heightened risk of poor mental health.
The Government’s Suicide Prevention Strategy, published last September, sets out its ambition to reduce the suicide rate over the next 5 years – with initial reductions observed within half this time or sooner. Since 2018, an extra £2.3 billion has been invested each year to expand mental health services in England - with the aim of enabling two million more people, including those in rural areas, to access mental health support by March 2024. This year, mental health spending is forecast to make up 9.01% of all recurrent NHS spending, ensuring it continues to grow in line with growth in overall funding. £57 million has been invested specifically for suicide prevention and suicide bereavement services in all areas of the country, including Shropshire. In March, Stuart also welcomed £500,000 for farmer welfare charities to support their vital work in 2024/25, focusing on farmer wellbeing.
Mental Health Support Teams are now available in 6,800 schools and colleges, covering 3.4 million pupils and learners in England - the equivalent to 35% of pupils, with a further 100 teams in training. Stuart is also promoting awareness of the offer available to all state-funded schools and colleges in England of a grant to train a senior mental health lead by 2025. 15,100 schools and colleges have already taken up this offer and claimed a grant, with fourteen schools in South Shropshire having now claimed a total of £16,800. This represents 63% of the total number of settings that are eligible to apply.
Stuart Anderson said:
“As someone who has previously suffered from poor mental health, I am proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week and launch my campaign to improve rural mental health. Having reached 9.01% of all NHS spending, the Government’s increased investment will improve access to mental health services, including in rural communities like South Shropshire. My Mental Health Support Hub makes it easy to identify the support available and demonstrates the Government’s continuing commitment to expanding and transforming mental health services across England. If elected as our community’s champion in Parliament, I would campaign for this to continue.”
Stuart’s Mental Health Support Hub can be accessed at https://southshropshire.stuartanderson.org.uk/mental-health-support.
