Rural mental health charities in Scotland are urging people to seek support “at the earliest opportunity” as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) warns of a rise in suicide rates in rural communities.

BACP chief executive Anna Daroy said the cost-of-living crisis was putting an additional burden on farmers.

She said: “Even before the cost-of-living crisis, male farm workers are three times more likely to take their own lives than the male national average, and every week three people in the UK farming and agricultural industry die by suicide.

“Worryingly, we expect these figures to rise as the cost-of-living crisis exacerbates the longstanding challenges farmers already face – including higher living costs, known as the rural premium, increased rates of loneliness, and isolation.”

Ms Daroy said seeking help has to be normalised, but people in rural communities often face barriers in accessing mental health support, including a lack of public transport.

Director of Change Mental Health charity, Jim Hume said: “Every suicide is a tragic loss and has a lasting effect on those left behind.

“At Change Mental Health, we know that seeking help at the earliest opportunity can lead to better outcomes and that knowing how to support people with their mental health can make all the difference.

“We also know that those bereaved by suicide need specialised support, which if you live in Highlands, Argyll & Bute and Ayrshire & Arran you can receive through the successful pilot Suicide Bereavement Service.

“Change Mental Health provide mental health training called Rural Connections, which can be free if you are in rural Scotland. They also host an advice & support service which can help you find the support you need with advice.”

Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI, urged anyone who is feeling low or lonely to talk to someone about how they are feeling.

“Our free helpline, 0808 1234 555, is open 24/7 but too often people delay contacting us and when they do call us they tell us they wished they had done so much earlier.

“The sooner people contact us, the sooner we can start helping them get back on track,” she said.

RSABI offers free counselling which can be arranged very quickly. Demand for this has trebled in the past year and the feedback from working farmers and others using the service is that it can be transformational.

“When someone feels overwhelmed it can be difficult to make good business and personal decisions and it can start to feel like there are no options. In reality there are always options and we can help people to a place where they can see their options clearly and are able to make decisions again.”

RSABI has now provided free Mental Health First Aid training to more than 300 people working in the frontline with farmers in Scotland - from vets to assessors, consultants and tractor sales staff. The training gives people the skills to know what to look out for and what to say and do if they are worried someone is struggling. They are also trained on how to encourage someone to seek further professional support.

“There are definitely encouraging signs that the stigma around mental health is decreasing in agriculture and some really positive conversations are happening,” said Ms McLaren.

“The reality is that just small acts of kindness and taking time to listen, really listen, can make a huge difference to people who are having thoughts of suicide.

“Our #KeepTalking campaign is all about encouraging people to look out for others who may be feeling low or lonely in our agricultural communities.

“By offering even a small amount of support people may well safe a life, although they may never know it.”