NFU Scotland is hosting a mental wellbeing conference on Thursday March 2, at 7pm in The Kintore Arms Hotel, Inverurie.

The evening will hear from Kenny Elphinstone, New Deer Branch vice-chairman; NHS Grampian public health consultant, John Mooney; as well as advanced practitioners, Carolyn Lamb and Pete Matthews. There will also be a talk from Stephanie Morrison, lecturer in public health and occupational therapy at Robert Gordon University.

North-east regional chairman, Alan Simpson, said: “We are really keen to see a big crowd for this, as mental well-being is a massively important subject which most of us are able to relate to. Our agricultural industry, along with the veterinary profession, know only too well, how lonely our lives can feel at times.”

Regional manager, Lorna Paterson, added: “We hosted a similar and highly successful, event in November, 2019, where 100 folk participated. Since then, we have come through Covid, which has escalated the effects of poor mental health.

"I have never witnessed so many young people suffering to the extent that they are currently. It is vitally important that we help facilitate and support discussions and offer peer support on this topic. I am so proud of our farmers for making this event happen.”

Kevin Gilbert, North-east vice-chairman, will lead the panel session and has been highly involved in all things relating to mental wellbeing support in the North-east for the past decade. He said: “Please come along, even if it’s not for yourself, but perhaps you are wishing to be there as someone you know is suffering, and you simply want to understand how others cope, so you can go back and help your loved ones.

"There is no stigma associated with poor mental health and we need to be proud to be brave enough to speak about this subject, so that others feel enabled to reach out for help when it is needed.”

Mary Bourne and Lynne Strachan will have a small exhibition arena set up in the room from the ‘art of farming’ workshops.

Anyone wishing to attend the open event is requested to call 0131 472 4000 to register.