Butler wants funding pledge for farmers' mental health

Assemblyman Butler issued his call as the UUP announced that he has been appointed as the first Mental Health spokesperson by the Ulster Unionist Party and the Stormont Assembly.

His challenge to the new DUP Minister came after Mr Butler asked her for a guarantee there would be “effective and meaningful funding” for the role that Rural Support plays in supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Mr Butler said: “I note with interest that a past Sinn Fein farming minister told our party that Rural Support plays an important role in supporting mental health and wellbeing issues among the rural community and this was recognised through her then department’s ongoing funding commitment to the charity.

“There can be no doubting the Rural Support provision of a helpline and support services to farming and rural families across Northern Ireland to help deal with stress, mental health or emotional distress is all the more important given the current difficult economic climate.

“I was especially pleased our party was told that Rural Support was working closely with the then Minister’s officials and other statutory and community organisations to ensure that the organisation’s services were known as widely as possible.

“While I was also pleased to know that the previous agriculture minister said she commended all of Rural Support’s work, I want the new farming minister to give a cast iron pledge she will guarantee long-term funding for this very worthy charity and its essential activities,” said Mr Butler.

He added: “Mental health issues generally currently directly affect 28.5% of our population, never mind the impact on families, friends and associates.

“There can be no hiding from the fact that as a country, we suffer among the worst rates of poor mental health and wellbeing on the planet.

“I believe a new approach is required and we have laid out the foundations in our action plan, which was very favourably received by sufferers, practitioners and mental health charities.

“I believe that Mental Health and Wellbeing should be a priority for the new Health Minister and I shall work with our Health spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson, to ensure the profile of mental health is given the priority it deserves, and that the health budget reflects the need to accept mental health should be on a par with physical health issues,” said Mr Butler.