Mental wellbeing in Rural Communities: A Scottish-Arctic dialogue

A discussion between Scottish and Arctic experts on access to mental health support.

About this Event

Scotland and the Arctic share similar challenges with ensuring that, no matter how rural or remote, communities receive high-quality support in relation to mental health and wellbeing. In rural areas, a combination of stigma, lack of anonymity and isolation can act as a barrier to accessing the right services, calling for urgent action and innovative solutions.

Tragically, suicide rates in the Arctic region are among the highest in the world and young people are particularly at risk. In Scotland, deaths by suicide have fallen over the past decade but much remains to be done. Both in Scotland and in the Arctic, there is increasing recognition of the need for early prevention strategies that look at mental health challenges from a community perspective, offering local solutions and reflecting local circumstances. As well as improving access to clinical health services, encouraging local initiatives can have a critical role in improving mental wellbeing and developing “communities of care”.

This session will promote a discussion between Scottish and Arctic experts on how we can work together to tackle visible and invisible barriers to accessing mental health support, allowing people of all ages to receive the right help at the right time, no matter where they live.

This event is part of the Scottish Government’s Arctic Connections webinar series. Please find more information here.

Moderator

Sarah-Anne Munoz – Head of Rural Health and Wellbeing, University of the Highlands and Islands

Speakers

Clare Haughey – Minister for Mental Health, Scottish Government

Jim Hume – Convener, National Rural Mental Health Forum (Scotland)

Ros Halley – Community Development Manager, Support in Mind Scotland

Jon Petter Stoor – Researcher, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Sweden & Centre for Sámi Health Research, Arctic University of Norway

Ceporah Mearns – Director, Nunavut Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research

Nancy Mike – Community Health Research Coordinator, Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre