Mind launches rural support scheme

Mental health charity Mind is launching a
£250,000 scheme to provide urgent support to people
experiencing emotional and mental distress as a result of the foot
and mouth crisis.

RuralMinds, the organisation’s rural arm,
plans to target aid at those communities in England worst hit by
the outbreak.

The charity has warned that the foot and mouth
epidemic will have a lasting impact on the mental health of farming
communities and those living in the countryside.

Since April the charity has produced and
distributed half a million copies of the RuralMinds first aid kit
which offers help on recognising the first signs of mental distress
and suggests coping strategies.