Rural Affairs

Combating Rural Stress: the Rural Stress Action Plan

The Rural Stress Action Plan (RSAP) is intended to reduce the incidence of stress in rural areas by strengthening the provision of support for rural people. The actions include influencing mental health and well-being services and tackling social and psychological isolation.

The Plan supports projects aimed at the following groups of people:

  • owners, occupiers and workers on the land;
  • people who run small rural businesses and their employees;
  • those in debt in rural areas;
  • high-risk occupational groups at risk of suicide - i.e. farmers and agricultural workers.

The first RSAP was introduced in 2000.

Projects previously selected for funding under the Plan have offered:

  • direct support to the target groups;
  • support for building the capacity of organisations to provide support to the target groups;
  • support for work to influence policy decisions and practices relating to the mental health and well-being of the target groups.The Guidelines for Rural Stress Proofing are published on the Ruralnet UK website.

There have been two full evaluations of the Rural Stress Action Plan. These are accessible using the links below.

An evaluation of the Rural Stress Action Plan 2000 [Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader] [333KB]

An evaluation of the Rural Stress Working Group - March 2004 [Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader] [176KB]

Defra has commissioned a review [Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader] [700KB] which looks at the future of this work beyond March 2008 when all current projects end.

Rural Stress Action Plan V

The fifth Rural Stress Action Plan [Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader] [60KB] starting in 2005 introduced 3 year projects which were awarded via 2 application windows.

A total of 19 projects [Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader] [30KB] were awarded funding totalling £900K over 3 years from March 2005.

The Action Plan is managed by the Institute of Rural Health on Defra’s behalf.
Institute of Rural Health
Gregynog Hall,
Tregynon,
Newtown, Powys,
SY16 3PW
Telephone: +44 (0)1686 650800
Fax: +44 (0)1686 650300

Website: http://www.irh.ac.uk/index.php

Rural Stress Action Plan Working Group

The Plan has been drawn up by Defra in agreement with the RSAP Working Group, which comprises experts from Rural Stress Organisations and independent members. The Working Group meet with Defra on a quarterly basis.

Arthur Rank Centre

MIND

ARC Addington Fund

National Institute for Mental Health in England

Citizens Advice Bureau

National Farmers Union

Country Land & Business Association

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

Department of Health

Rural Development Service

Farm Crisis Network

T&G Workers Union

Institute of Rural Health

Tenant Farmers Association

Government Offices

Samaritans

Related Information

For more on the help available to combat rural stress and its effects, contact the following organisations.

Advice and guidance
Rural Stress Information Network
024 761 2916 (weekdays 9am - 5pm)

Financial assistance
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
01865 727 888 (weekdays 0am – 5pm / 4.30pm Fridays)

Practical support from farmers
Farm Crisis Network
07002 326 326
(7am -10pm daily)

Emotional help and support
The Samaritans
08457 90 90 90
(24 hours a day)

During emergencies RSIN, RABI & FCN helplines are open 24 hours a day

 

Page last modified: 7 March, 2007
Page published: 21 July, 2005

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs