Supporting rural mental health: Workshop for lone-working men

A village pub is helping spearhead community efforts to support mental health in rural areas of Wychavon. 

Sue Henson, and the management team from the Gate Inn in Honeybourne, are working with Wychavon to host a special workshop focused on the wellbeing of lone-working men in farming and other rural industries early next month. 

Sue and team are passionate about helping to improve understanding of matters relating to mental health and raising awareness of the issues surrounding suicide. 

Sue, who helps run the pub with her husband Matt and son George, has had Orange Button suicide awareness training organised through the Wellbeing in Wychavon Community Scheme. 

She said: “As a community we support one another and it’s no different when it comes to helping someone with their mental health in their time of need. That is especially important in a rural area. 

“Before I did the Orange Button training, I never knew that it was the right thing to ask someone if they were thinking of harming themselves. I now know it’s absolutely the right thing to do so that they can get help.” 

 As part of the Wellbeing in Wychavon community scheme, We are Farming Minds -  a dedicated rural mental health initiative under MIND Herefordshire - is presenting the workshop on Tuesday,1 July from 9.30am-12.30pm at the Gate Inn, Weston Road, Honeybourne. WR11 7QJ. 

The Wychavon-funded workshop, which is free to attend, is designed to support men who work alone in rural settings, a group often at higher risk of mental health challenges due to isolation, long hours and more limited access to support services.  

Community members, employers and colleagues who have links to those employed in farming and rural industries are also invited with the aim of better understanding how to support them. 

The event aims to help people recognise the signs of mental distress in themselves or others, learn how to manage mental health in isolated working environments and to help connect with local support networks and resources.

Cllr Dan Birch, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member responsible for health and wellbeing, said: “We know that men in rural areas, especially those working alone, often face unique pressures and are less likely to seek help. This workshop is about opening conversations, building resilience, and making sure no one feels alone. 

“It supports the commitment in our We Are Wychavon Plan to recruit people in our communities to promote mental wellbeing and signpost them to support.” 

Free refreshments will be provided and booking is encouraged to help with planning. For more information or to reserve a place, please  go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rural-mental-health-workshop-tickets-1421061566399?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Picture: Sue, George and Matt Henson, the management team at the Gate Inn, Honeybourne.