Scottish agricultural charity, RSABI, has appointed Josie Barclay to the newly-created role of suicide prevention lead.
Coming from a farming family in Moray, Josie has previously spent two years as a senior practitioner in the mental health field. She has a degree in social work and a postgraduate certificate mental health officer award, both from Robert Gordon University.
The Alistair and Margaret Miller Charitable Trust has funded this role enabling RSABI to have a full-time member of staff focused on crucial suicide prevention work in Scottish agriculture.
The announcement coincides with the launch of Scotland’s new National Suicide Prevention Campaign which asks a simple question “What if a conversation about suicide could save a life?”
“We are delighted to welcome Josie to the team at RSABI, especially at a time when there is so much excellent work being done and so many opportunities to amplify great initiatives with the power to be truly transformational, such as Suicide Prevention Scotland’s ‘What if…’ campaign,” said Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to work more closely with organisations involved in mental health as well connecting with individuals involved in farming and crofting who are keen to share their own mental health journeys to help others.
“There is so much potential to continue to reduce stigma about mental health and Josie’s appointment, along with a major piece of research we will be starting shortly, will allow us to raise more awareness of suicide prevention in the farming community.
“Coupled with mental health and suicide prevention training, the aim is to empower people to know that everyone in Scotland’s farming community can play a part in keeping people safe and helping to prevent suicide.”
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:
Samaritans 116 123
Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87
NHS 24 mental health hub on 111
If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.
RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support to people in Scottish agriculture including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry.
Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.