Health and wellbeing – Page 7 – The NEN

Fraser of Allander: Annual Health Checks for People with Learning Disabilities

As part of our ongoing work on the lives of people with learning disabilities, we continue to track the latest research, policy developments, and data shaping their experiences (writes Fraser of Allander Institute’s DAVID JACK).

In previous round-ups, we’ve explored topics ranging from employment and social care to education and healthcare access. For this edition, we turn our attention to the rollout of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities in Scotland.

What are Annual Health Checks?

An Annual Health Check is a yearly check-up offered to individuals with learning disabilities to help identify and manage their health needs. It typically includes a review of medical history, physical health measurements (such as weight and blood pressure), checks on long-term conditions, discussions about mental health and lifestyle, assessment of healthcare access difficulties, medication reviews, and the development of a health action plan if required. The goal is to detect potential health issues early and support overall well-being.

Why Annual Health Checks Matter

Annual health checks are seen as a vital tool in addressing health inequalities. Many people with learning disabilities face challenges in communicating their symptoms, making proactive health assessments essential. Research consistently highlights the poorer health outcomes this group experiences, including higher rates of undiagnosed conditions, preventable illnesses, and premature mortality.

Just this week, researchers at the University of Glasgow released new findings revealing that young adults (aged 25-34) with learning disabilities are nine times more likely to die from treatable causes than their peers in the general population. The study, led by the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory, underlined the severe health inequalities faced by this group—particularly young women, who were found to be at disproportionately higher risk of premature death from treatable conditions.

Scotland’s Commitment and the Reality of Implementation

In May 2022, the Scottish Government pledged to offer annual health checks to all adults (aged 16+) with learning disabilities by 31st March 2023. To support this, NHS Boards were allocated £2 million annually. However, implementation struggles led to a revised deadline of 31st March 2024.

The first official data on Scotland’s progress has now been released by the Scottish Government. The 2023/24 figures reveal that despite identifying 23,758 eligible individuals, only 1,405 (6%) health checks were offered, with just 1,128 completed. This means fewer than 5% of eligible individuals have received a health check—highlighting that the rollout remains far from comprehensive. Notably, while 80% of those offered a check went on to complete it, the vast majority of eligible adults have yet to be given the opportunity.

The failure to fully implement the annual health check programme points to deeper systemic challenges within Scotland’s healthcare system. While the Scottish Government has made reassurances that health checks remain a priority, the delay of the Learning Disabilities, Autism, and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill has raised concerns about long-term commitment.

In a letter to the Health, Social Care, and Sport Committee, Minister Maree Todd reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s dedication to expanding health checks, including exploring new settings such as the State Hospital and prisons. However, these recent figures suggest that rather than expanding, the programme is struggling at a foundational level. The challenge appears not to be a lack of policy ambition but a failure in execution, which risks slowing or even obstructing progress in reducing health inequalities in Scotland.

A Troubling Lack of Progress

While 2024 marks the first year of formal reporting, and some allowances can be made for scaling-up challenges, the level of delivery remains lower than expected, particularly given the dedicated £2 million in annual funding. The current data does not include a breakdown of uptake by NHS Board—an important detail that should be incorporated into future reporting. The next set of figures, due in June 2025, will be key in providing greater transparency on regional disparities, and we also encourage the publication of more detailed demographic data when appropriate.

Back in November 2024, media reports stated that none of Scotland’s NHS Boards had fully met the target of offering health checks to all eligible individuals. In some areas, such as NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Shetland, there were indications that not a single eligible patient had received a health check. Greater clarity on this is needed through more detailed official statistical reporting to ensure timely, accurate and transparent data on progress.

Encouraging NHS Boards to report on how they are utilising the allocated £2 million per annum could provide valuable insights and help address delivery challenges. Additionally, assessing the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns would help identify what has worked well and what could be improved to ensure that people with learning disabilities and their families are fully informed about their right to an annual health check.

Varied Approaches

The Scottish Government provided directives outlining the framework for annual health checks, while allowing flexibility in local implementation. This flexibility has resulted in varied delivery models across NHS Boards, reflecting differences in workforce capacity, healthcare structures, and local resources. Some Boards will conduct checks primarily through GP practices, while others may incorporate community-based assessments, specialist learning disability health teams, or partnerships with third-sector organisations.

For example, NHS Lothian recommended a model where Community Learning Disability Nurses work closely with GP practices. Other Boards are integrating health checks into community services or collaborating with third-sector organisations to improve outreach. However, these varied approaches risk creating inconsistencies in data recording, as different systems are likely being used.

The Scottish Government has emphasised the need for standardised data collection across all Health Boards. A uniform approach is essential for assessing the effectiveness of health checks and ensuring equitable service delivery. The Annual Health Checks National Implementation Group aims to assist NHS Boards in aligning practices and reporting methods, with members expected to share real-time delivery data to collaboratively address challenges, overcome barriers, and provide peer support.

Beyond the Census: How Health Checks Could Bridge the Data Gap

If Scotland’s annual health checks for individuals with learning disabilities had been fully implemented as intended, they could have provided a valuable and reliable dataset on the number of people with learning disabilities in the country. Interestingly, the number of adults (23,758) identified through the Annual Health Check Survey Return to the Scottish Government already exceeds the number of adults reporting a learning disability in Scotland’s 2011 Census (21,115) by 12.5%.

This first set of published data for the Annual Health Check Survey states, “The method by which eligible people are identified varies by Health Board – the numbers identified only represent people with learning disabilities who are known to services.” Coupled with the fact that these checks are not yet being delivered at full capacity, this suggests that the true number of adults with learning disabilities in Scotland is likely to be higher than 23,758.

Scotland’s 2022 Census faced significant challenges in identifying the learning disability population. Instead of reporting learning disabilities separately, the published data currently combines them with learning difficulties and developmental disorder—a disappointing step backward compared to 2011.

The National Records of Scotland (NRS) identified learning disability as the primary category of concern, noting an “unrealistically large increase” in the number of people selecting this category compared to the previous census. As we previously explained, quality assurance efforts primarily relied on triangulating data with Scotland’s Pupil Census, which only captures those in school education and does not account for the broader adult population.

A fully functioning health check system could have served as an essential alternative data source, refining population estimates, improving census accuracy, and informing future data collection. Crucially, it could have also helped assess discrepancies in reported numbers—and given the challenges with learning disability recording in the 2022 Census, it still could—helping to clarify the scale of potential misrepresentation and ensuring that individuals with learning disabilities are properly represented in National Statistics and policy planning.

Policy Changes in England: A Warning for Scotland?

Recent developments in England signal changes to the NHS’s approach to annual health checks for individuals with learning disabilities. In an effort to prioritise reducing waiting times, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced a reduction in the number of NHS targets from 32 to 18.

This streamlining includes the removal of the specific target to provide annual health checks to 75% of people with learning disabilities across England. It is worth noting that unlike England’s previous approach, Scotland’s current policy is to offer a health check to all eligible individuals, without a set percentage target for delivery.

The Health Secretary’s recent decision has raised concerns that removing these targets could also lead to the loss of ring-fenced funding in England. Historically, funding has been directly tied to national targets to support their delivery, and without this financial safeguard, there is a risk that annual health checks could be deprioritised.

Mencap has warned that removing this target could have “deadly consequences,” as people with learning disabilities already face a life expectancy up to 23 years shorter than the general population.

While healthcare policy in Scotland is devolved, pressures on workforce capacity and financial resources remain significant challenges. If services continue to be overstretched, there is a risk that learning disability healthcare may receive less focus. This could make it more difficult to address health inequalities, potentially leaving those already at high risk of poor health outcomes further marginalised.

Conclusion: Turning Commitment into Action

The rollout of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities in Scotland remains a work in progress, with ongoing challenges still to be addressed. Despite the Scottish Government’s assurances that expanding access remains a priority, the reality is that progress has been slow, and only a small percentage of eligible individuals have received a health check so far.

Beyond improving individual health outcomes, a fully implemented programme could play a crucial role in shaping policy by providing more accurate data on Scotland’s learning disability population—particularly given the shortcomings of the 2022 Census.

As concerns over widening health inequalities grow and policy shifts in England raise further questions about long-term commitments, Scotland must ensure that these health checks move beyond ambition and become a fully embedded, effective service.

New research proves woodland wildlife works wonders for wellbeing

The sights, sounds and smells of life in a British woodland have been proven to fill us with joy and boost our wellbeing, groundbreaking new research has revealed.

An overwhelming 90% of more than 10,000 questioned for a study supported by the Woodland Trust said their mood and general wellbeing were boosted by the wildlife in the UK’s precious woodland.

The research identified specific mood-lifting traits found in woods – from spotting a squirrel scurrying up a trunk and hearing a robin’s early-morning song, to witnessing a bird of prey soaring in the sky or feeling the crunch of autumn leaves underfoot.

But worryingly, the research pinpointed huge regional differences, with the majority of wellbeing hotspots found in the South East and parts of Scotland – areas with a higher proportion of woodland, especially ancient and long-established woodland cover.

These locations are rich in the variety of woodland plants, animals and fungi which people reported as being beneficial for their wellbeing, but previous studies have shown that only 7% of Great Britain’s woods are in good ecological condition.

The extensive BIO-WELL research was carried out by scientists at the University of Kent, with the latest research financed by a grant from the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, the Woodland Trust.

Zoe Davies, Professor of biodiversity conservation at the University of Kent’s Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), said: “While we know that spending time in natural environments can improve our health and wellbeing, we needed to know which species, or traits of species delivered these benefits.

“This compelling new research proves that nature is good for us and spending time in biodiverse, rich woodland can be a prescription for wellbeing.”

Key findings include:

ninety per cent of the representative sample of more than 10,000 people across the UK agreed that woodland biodiversity has a positive impact on their wellbeing
the richest woodlands for wellbeing were very unevenly distributed across the UK, with lower wellbeing richness of woodlands in more deprived areas
woodland sounds, such as birds singing, the scrunch of fallen leaves or trees rustling in the breeze, were found to stimulate the most wellbeing responses (40.4%)
natural processes and behaviours (26.5%), like spring flowers emerging, triggered the second most wellbeing responses, followed by colours (23.7%), textures (7.3%) and smells (2.1%)
silver birch topped a list of favourite trees, ahead of horse chestnut and oak
blue tit had the most wellbeing benefits of woodland birds, with blackbird and chaffinch following closely behind
the hotspots reflect areas where there is a high proportion of woodland cover, especially precious ancient and long-established woodland cover.

Surprisingly, the research found that seasonal differences were irrelevant to the mental health benefits, meaning that, while humans may yearn for sunnier and warmer spring days after a long, bleak winter, a walk in the woods is beneficial in any weather and at any time of year.

Woodland Trust chief executive Dr Darren Moorcroft said: “The Woodland Trust is evidence based. Research like the BIO-WELL findings that we have supported is not only fascinating but vital to underpin what we do as the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, for nature and people.

“We’re in the grip of a biodiversity and human health crisis, so it has never been more critical to improve the health of people and the planet. Proving that it’s good for us to get out among trees and nature means the next step must be ensuring that everyone in the UK has access to vibrant, nature-rich woodland where wildlife – and people and communities – can thrive.”

Martin Dallimer, Professor of environmental sustainability at Imperial College London, agreed: “If we want people’s wellbeing to improve from spending time in nature, then it is essential to make sure we are maintaining and restoring high-quality forests for wildlife and people.”

Unequal opportunities

Maps produced by the researchers showed strong regional disparity in woodland quality for wellbeing, highlighting the importance of restoring woodland biodiversity – especially in those areas which need it most.

Woodland Trust conservation adviser Sally Bavin explained: “This work shows there is stark geographical inequality across the UK in the opportunity for people to witness thriving woodland wildlife and experience the wellbeing lift that brings. This opportunity should be the right of all.

“The research’s focus on the distribution of woodland quality really fits with the Woodland Trust’s mission to improve the quality of woodlands rather than just the quantity. The research maps will allow us to target conservation efforts where they are needed most.”

Dr Jessica Fisher, research fellow at DICE, said the regional findings were ‘concerning’. She added: “The research suggests visiting a woodland rich in the variety of wildlife that supports human wellbeing is a privilege unequally distributed across society, and furthest from reach for those who could potentially benefit the most.

“Society needs a much better balance of woodland to ensure we can all access the traits that are going to boost our mental health.”

The research drilled down to discover which species were most enjoyed for their wellbeing benefits, including the top 10 favourite trees, other plants, animals and fungi. The top 10 trees were:

silver birch
horse chestnut
pedunculate oak
sweet chestnut
aspen
Douglas fir
rowan
beech
larch
sycamore.

Animation lecturer hunting industry terms needing a BSL sign

Jon Mortimer’s project aims to make animation and visual effects careers more accessible

An Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) lecturer is hoping to make animation, visual effects and gaming more inclusive – by identifying industry and technical phrases that need their own sign in British Sign Language (BSL).

Award-winning animator Jon Mortimer was inspired by his efforts to learn BSL alongside his 4-year-old son, as well as experience of supporting deaf students at ENU, where he teaches 3D animation and modelling.

Jon leads the community project, Animsign, with the aim of gathering words from the world of animation that don’t currently have a specific BSL sign. He took the research to industry events around the world to seek suggestions from professionals, educators and signers.

Following his work with the deaf community and industry to develop new signs, Jon created an animated explainer video to help get the word out and provide further information.

An Animsign pilot at a conference in Scotland helped to pinpoint 74 terms which needed a new sign, such as WIP (work in progress), pipeline and props.

Jon is now inviting members of the deaf community, educators and animation and games professionals who are interested in being involved with Animsign to reach out, and work towards developing a BSL glossary of animation and gaming terminology.

There are thought to be more than 70 million sign language users worldwide, with more than 300 different sign languages. It is hoped that having a more accessible breadth of BSL terms could open potential new career opportunities to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Jon said: “Gaps in language can put people starting out in animation at a major disadvantage. It is like looking up a technical term in the dictionary and finding a blank page.

“Our aim with Animsign is to create a bridge between the animation and games sectors and the deaf community.

“My family and I have been learning BSL to support my son, who currently has limited language. Learning sign language has allowed him to express himself so much more than before.

“I think it is so important that we work with people from the deaf community and not for them, which is what I have aimed to do throughout this project, while also working with deaf artists.

“The hope is that with support like this we can make the process of learning about animation more accessible.

“You don’t need to be an animator to work in animation. This could open up a whole range of careers to talented people who have stories to tell.”

Jon now hopes to take this research further by forming focus groups of animation & games professionals, educators and sign language users to develop a glossary of new signs. He is encouraging anyone and everyone to get in touch with him and talk about his research.

Green space is good for you

A new Outdoor Recreation report from NatureScot’s Scotland’s People and Nature Survey (SPANS) 2023/24 reveals that 61% of Scots engage in outdoor recreation at least weekly, with 17% venturing out daily. It also highlights the importance of urban greenspaces in outdoor recreation.

The survey found that 41% of outdoor visits in Scotland take place in a park or other open greenspace in an urban area, making them the most popular destination. Woodland and forest visits follow closely at 39%.

Young people (16-34 years) and residents of the 10% most derived areas are more likely to use urban greenspaces, reinforcing their importance in ensuring equitable access to nature.

However, residents from the most deprived areas are less likely to engage in outdoor activities, pointing to a need for more inclusive policies and investments in local parks.

People in Scotland participate in a wide range of outdoor activities with walking being the most popular outdoor activity, the overwhelming majority of visits involved walking (93%).

Walking was also the most popular way to get to local parks, overall, 84% of people said they normally walk or wheel to their local greenspace.

These findings emphasize the crucial role of local, accessible urban greenspaces in promoting health and well-being.

Read the full report

New report reveals long-term outcomes for UK care-experienced children

NatCen has published a report in collaboration with ADR UK exploring children and young people’s experiences with social care

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has published a report in collaboration with Administrative Data Research (ADR) UK exploring children and young people’s experiences with social care.

The report pulls together administrative data from the four UK nations for the first time and the combined data reveals insights into the care experiences of children. It looks across systems and services showcasing valuable long-term data analysis across inequalities, regional variation, evolving care practices and long-term impacts.

The report explored factors that lead children into care:

A child’s postcode in Northern Ireland can affect their chances of entering care: in 2010, children from the most deprived 10% of areas were four times more likely to end in care than those from the least deprived 10%. By 2020 this disparity doubled.

As well as their journeys through care:

Data from Wales found that 63% of voluntary arrangements became compulsory within two years, a trend occurring more frequently and rapidly over time. In around 1 in 2 cases, care proceedings were issued within four weeks of initial voluntary arrangements.
Placement stability is a concern with 30% of infants experiencing three or more placements within two years.
- Infants entering care through voluntary arrangements experienced fewer placements than those subject to care orders.
Data from Scotland found kinship care has become the most common arrangement with 34% living in kinship care in 2023 compared to 13% in 2006.
- Children with experience of kinship care continue to experience lower attendance rates, higher exclusion rates, and lower qualification attainment compared to the general population.
Of those with youth justice involvement, care experienced children, on average, had four times the number of cautions or convictions than non-care experienced children.

The report examines long-term outcomes for those who have had contact with social services:

In the eight years after leaving school, 25% of care experienced children in England had never been in employment or education compared to 4% among all school leavers.
In Northern Ireland, young adults with a history of care had almost 9 times the risk of death by suicide compared to those who had no social services contact in childhood.

Sarah Cheesbrough, Director of the Policy Research Centre at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) said: “This vital report showcases the transformative potential of administrative data in generating critical insights to improve the lives of care-experienced children and young people.

“It highlights why policymakers should demand more from their evidence base—using data to pinpoint system shortfalls, assess long-term service impacts, and identify successful practices.”

ADR_UK_NatCen_report_infographic Download

Professor Karen Broadhurst of Lancaster University and ADR UK Ambassador said: “By linking data from different parts of government, and opening up secure access to the de-identified, population-level linked datasets,

“ADR UK is creating unprecedented opportunities for researchers to advance our knowledge. For the first time, we can look across systems and services using datasets where every child is counted.

“The studies included in this report published today, provide robust empirical evidence of pathways into care, care experience, and life beyond care. As a society, we must ensure we have the conditions in place for every child to have the opportunity to flourish, including those in the care of the State.”

Care_experience_Research_insights_from_administrative_data Download

Postive impact of new RSV vaccine

Report shows fewer older people hospitalised

Health Secretary Neil Gray has welcomed a report showing the new RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine has led to a significant decrease in hospitalisations among older people.

Public Health Scotland (PHS) research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal, demonstrates that vaccination resulted in a 62% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations among the eligible 75-79 age group.

The Scottish Government invested £4.2 million via health boards in the vaccine supply. The programme began last August following expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Mr Gray said: “Once again we see evidence of the role which vaccinations play in preventing serious illness and keeping people out of hospital.

“We were pleased to be the first nation in the UK to introduce the new RSV vaccine in time to maximise the benefit to the more vulnerable ahead of winter. This research demonstrates just how many people avoided ending up in hospital as a result.

“RSV can be very serious for older adults, newborns and infants – potentially causing lung disease such as pneumonia.

“It is encouraging to see that by the end of November, 68% of eligible older adults had received their vaccinations and I’d urge all those eligible to come forward for their vaccine when called. It is incredibly important for older adults and pregnant women to protect their newborn babies from RSV.”

RSV vaccine during pregnancy | NHS inform

RSV vaccine for adults | NHS inform

The RSV programme was in addition to winter vaccines offered, such as flu, Covid-19 and pneumococcal.

Sensory Room available at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

A few months ago, we were lucky enough to receive a Scotmid coop Community Grant to improve our Sensory room. We are pleased to announce that our Sensory Room is now complete and available to book!

Designed to support those with sensory processing disorders, this is a great place to relax and relieve stress in a safe space

We also have ear defenders available if required

Contact the centre for full details or to book your time slot:

Telephone: 0131 552 5700

Email: CLD-RoystonWardieburn@ea.edin.sch.uk

Scottish Budget: Edinburgh urged to bid for free school meals extension

Local Scottish Green MSP Lorna Slater is calling on Edinburgh to bid to be one of the first councils to sign up for the expansion of free school meals for thousands more S1 – S3 pupils.

The Scottish Greens have recently secured money for the expansion of free school meals to thousands of S1-S3 pupils who receive the Scottish Child Payment (SCP), starting with eight council areas in August 2025.

This builds on the ongoing rollout to P6 and P7 pupils who receive SCP and the previous extension to all P4 and P5 pupils, both of which were secured by Green MSPs during past rounds of budget negotiations.

Edinburgh currently has a child poverty rate of 20.4% and around 4,500 of S1-S3 pupils who receive the Scottish Child Payment, a support payment for families on low incomes.

By signing up to be one of the first councils to receive more free meals for pupils, thousands of local children and families will benefit.

Eight councils will be chosen for the initial rollout and the Scottish Greens will be pushing the Scottish Government to extend the project to all 32 council areas as soon as possible.

Lorna Slater the Scottish Greens MSP for Lothian said: “Children can’t learn if they’re hungry. Problems like classroom hunger simply should not exist in a country as wealthy as Scotland.

“As a result of this work by Green MSPs, thousands more pupils in S1-S3 will now get a free school meal. I hope Edinburgh will volunteer to be one of the first areas to provide these lunches.

“The Scottish Greens have always championed free school meals. This high school expansion builds on the work we’ve already done to provide more meals in primary schools.

“No pupils should have to learn on an empty stomach simply because they cannot afford a school lunch. Each and every child in Scotland should have what they need to do well at school, including a free and healthy lunch.”

Scottish Government kicks off campaign to help Scots stay ‘Onside’ with their mental health

Last week, the Scottish Government launched their adult mental health campaign aimed at continuing the conversation around mental health and raising awareness of the free resources available through the Mind to Mind site on NHS inform.

Mental health concerns affect an estimated one in three people in Scotland*, with research indicating a direct correlation between poverty, social exclusion, and poor mental health. Additionally, those from marginalised minority backgrounds are often less likely to seek or find support.

This campaign aims to address these disparities across communities in Scotland to encourage those struggling with their mental health to get the help they need.

To mark the start of this phase of the campaign, a group of Scottish personalities and community advocates came together at the iconic Hampden Park to share their experiences of mental health, emphasising the importance of staying ‘onside’ by supporting others to access support and resources available to them.

Attendees included media personality Gail Porter, viral content creator Howey Ejegi (@HoweyDon), former professional footballer Zander Murray, Founder of Diversity Scotland Tony McCaffery, and David Duke, Founder of the social initiative Street Soccer Scotland.

Their standout advice focused on the importance of talking to someone they trust about their struggles and making use of resources like the Mind to Mind site (nhsinform.scot/mindtomind).

If you’re going through a difficult patch or are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or lonely, you are not alone and support is available.

Mind to Mind (nhsinform.scot/mindtomind) is a dedicated NHS Inform resource that aims to help people who may be facing challenges with their mental wellbeing.

The site helps people look after their mental wellbeing in ways that suit them, featuring over 30 videos of people talking about their own mental wellbeing challenges in a bid to show others who may be going through the same that they’re not alone.

Mind to Mind aims to contribute to the national conversation around normalising mental health and wellbeing, giving people the courage and skills to open up and encouraging them to share their stories in a bid towards reducing stigma.

The website also provides practical advice on how to deal with life’s ups and downs and signposts where people can access further support.

Gail Porter, TV personality, said: “Mental health struggles affect so many of us, and it can be difficult to start those conversations around accessing support.

“I know that any time I’ve felt like I needed support, my first inclination is to keep it to myself and not burden anyone else – but the truth is there are so many resources out there like the Mind to Mind site, to start your journey.”

David Duke, founder of Street Soccer Scotland, said: “Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland has never been more important, and at Street Soccer Scotland we do that through our shared love of football.

“We believe that by engaging in sport and physical activity, our players can create positive habits through our weekly football sessions.

“With dedicated mental health and wellbeing sessions across Scotland, we provide a safe space to socialise for players as well as offering an accessible environment for one-to-one counselling, but we’re not the only resource out there.

“Sites like Mind to Mind are such a great first port of call for anyone looking to start that mental health support journey.”

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd, said: “When you, a friend or relative is struggling with their mental health, it can be an upsetting and daunting time, but it’s important for all of us to understand and make use of the resources out there – help is available.

“One of the key elements of the Mind to Mind campaign is asking us to think differently about mental health, and how we approach these conversations with each other. Visiting nhsinform.scot/mindtomind can be a really important first step, and there are so many resources that we can take advantage of to help the people closest to us to lead fulfilling lives.”

The Mind to Mind multi-channel campaign is live across radio, press, social and digital channels, and out of home advertising, supported by a PR campaign.

For more information around supporting someone living with mental health struggles, please visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/MindtoMind

*According to research from the 2022 Scottish Health Survey

Mind Your Head: More Hours, More Risk

UK FARMING’S MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS DEEPENS

91% of all UK farmers* rank poor mental health as one of the biggest hidden dangers facing farmers today, a recent study by the Farm Safety Foundation reveals
The charity’s latest research also revealed that levels of mental wellbeing among young farmers have been steadily decreasing over the past four years.
44% of farmers* between the ages of 41-60 yrs work more than 81 hours a week – which is longer than they did in 2023 – and longer working hours impacts on the farmers levels of mental wellbeing
61% of farmers* still say poor mental health can be seen as a weakness in these challenging times
The latest Office of National Statistics** figures showed 44 suicides were registered in England & Wales among the farming and agricultural industry in 2022

There is no doubt that 2024 was a challenging year for farming in the UK and, given the added stress farmers are currently experiencing, ensuring farmers and farm workers prioritise both their physical and mental wellbeing has never been more important.

A recent study by leading rural charity, Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), revealed that poor mental health among farmers and agricultural workers continues to be a major concern. In the sample of over 750 farmers, 9 out of 10 respondents (91%) agreed that poor mental health is the ‘biggest hidden problem’ facing the industry today.

The reality of a farmer’s life is that there are multiple reasons identified as contributing to poor mental health in the industry. The known pressures on farmers – including traditional farm stressors, contextual stressors and barriers to support, coupled with the impact of measures announced in the Autumn budget – are leading to increased levels of stress and uncertainty in the farming community.

Recent months have seen farmers travel from their fields to the front of the Houses of Parliament and supermarket car parks to show their frustration at the new wave of tax measures being introduced in April 2026. Measures that are increasing levels of uncertainty and anxiety and adding serious concerns about an uncertain future for the industry and food production in the country.

The charity’s research showed that, on average, farmers worked longer hours in 2024 than they did in 2023. The average number of hours a full-time worker in the UK works per week is 36.4 hours***, however UK farmers work an average of 60 hours a week with an alarming 44% of those aged between 41 and 60 years working more than 81 hours a week.

1 in 3 farmers (33%) who work more than 9 hours a day admit to having had an accident or a near miss in the past 12 months demonstrating the link between long hours and working safely.

When mental wellbeing is factored in, the evidence revealed that farmers with lower mental wellbeing scores were significantly more likely to admit to working unsafely and risk-taking, something that raises alarm bells with the Farm Safety Foundation, especially as their research shows that the levels of mental wellbeing in those working in the industry have been steadily deteriorating over the past four years.

In the industry with the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK, making sure farmers are prioritising their physical and mental wellbeing can be a matter of life or death. According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) 23 farm workers lost their lives in farm accidents in GB in 2023/2024. There were also 44 suicides registered in England and Wales among the farming and agricultural industry in 2022 (Office of National Statistics).

This week (10-14 February 2025), the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) will be running its eighth annual Mind Your Head campaign.

The campaign will continue to raise awareness of the various challenges facing the UK’s farming industry, break down the stigma attached to poor mental health, and sow the seeds of wellbeing and resilience in the sector.

Stephanie observed: “Farming has always been one of the most demanding industries, but the added strain of long hours, rural isolation and financial insecurity is putting farmers at risk.

“For us to change the cultural reluctance to discuss mental health, we need to listen and learn what farmers are feeling, what their attitudes are and what they are doing to address it themselves.“

To do this, the Farm Safety Foundation travelled to Carnoustie to launch ‘In Discussion With…’ a new series of roundtable events devised to learn more about the thoughts and feelings of various groups to both farming safely and looking after their mental wellbeing.

The event was the first of four roundtables planned across the UK in 2025 and gathered together some members of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs to learn about the challenges of loneliness and rural isolation in advance of the Mind Your Head campaign.

The young farmers from the Angus area were, however, royally surprised when, during the discussions, His Royal Highness, The Duke of Rothesay popped in to join the conversation.

During his visit, His Royal Highness met with five members of local young farmers clubs and SAYFC National Chair Ally Brunton at the roundtable hosted by Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation.

When Stephanie asked him why he was interested in what they were doing, he said: “I love the countryside and I love farming as well. And I am conscious that it’s an area that needs maybe a little bit of support and understanding that there is access and support out there for young farmers.”

He added: “Because I think in the farming world it’s maybe not talked about as much as in other sectors – and yet we know it exists”

His Royal Highness then asked the young farmers what they do to look after their wellbeing…

William Grant (22) past chair of Strathmore JAC and from a family mixed arable and beef farm beside Auchterhouse commented: “It’s a constant cycle of work work work, but then if there’s a Young Farmers meeting you might just go to that.”

Vikki Johnston (25), who farms with her family on the Glamis Castle estate and also works on a farm near Forfar, added: “Hard work is kind of ingrained in you.”

Alistair McCarthy (22) originally from Caithness but now splitting his time between home and a livestock farm near Glamis highlighted: “It’s easy to be your own critic, but you need to look for the light ahead.

When asked what they would do if they noticed someone was struggling or if they were struggling themselves, Lois Scott (26) a Primary School teacher and member of Forfar JAC commented: “You sometimes don’t realise you need help until you’ve had it.

“Sometimes it takes someone saying to you ‘are you okay’? We (SAYFC) have the ‘Are Ewe OK?’ campaign and Yellow Wellies can give you a lot of help.”

The roundtable took place at East Scryne Fruit Farm run by James and Kate Porter, His Royal Highness was also shown some of the polytunnels damaged by the recent Storm Eowyn. Something that James pointed out was just one more thing adding stress and challenge to farming life but this was farming was all about. Starting again, constantly learning and staying optimistic.

As Ally Brunton, National Chair SAYFC and member of East Fife JAC put it: “If we weren’t all optimistic about the future in agriculture, we wouldn’t have a career in the industry.”

Stephanie reflected: “It was an absolute honour to have His Royal Highness join our roundtable. We are a small charity and have been running this campaign for eight years now so, to have such a high-profile guest interested in what we are doing gives the issue greater visibility.

“This week we will release two new hero films, our traditional launch day hero film and a second one – on Valentine’s Day – featuring some very familiar farming faces which will hopefully end the campaign on a positive note. After all, positivity is something I think we could all do with a bit more of at this time.”

For more information on the Mind Your Head campaign please visit:

www.yellowwellies.org

or follow them on social media – @yellowwelliesUK on Facebook, Instagram and X using the hashtag #MindYourHead.