THERE are fears farmers and veterans suffering with mental health problems have been going 'under the radar.'

The issue was discussed at Dorset County Council’s People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Members were given a report on the progress of the Dorset Mental Health Delivery Plan.

The plan was produced by the NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group to address any gaps and outcomes identified after a mental health enquiry day which was held in December 2017.

Vice Chairman Cllr Mary Penfold said: “The report centres on what came out of the enquiry day and what happened. It’s a very positive report. We have taken on a lot of issues which were raised.

“One of the main issues when we met with care users and others was access to services. We learned of experiences they had had. This came out more than anything. This is where we’re seeing significant take up across the county through community mental health teams and referrals. It is very important to people and leads to successful treatment.

“The report identified hard to reach people in the community and they are members of the farming community, their families, and veterans. I wonder what is being done about that?”

Laura Cornette of the Armed Forces Covenant told the committee how veterans and their families are being supported in Dorset.

She discussed how a grant for £234,786 was awarded by the Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant Fund.

She added: “In Dorset we are fortunate to have, as part of Dorset Healthcare, a specific team regarding armed forces mental health.”

Cllr Gill Haynes said how mental health problems in the farming community are going ‘under the radar.’

She said: “In rural areas mental health in the farming community is a real issue and it seems to go under the radar. I would be interested to know what we are doing to support these areas of the community.”

Cllr Kate Wheller highlighted how farming is the profession with the highest suicide rate.

Cllr Derek Beer suggested that mental health problems are being brought on by changes to rural farming and added: “Perhaps we should take more notice of that.”

The report put before councillors says a partnership with existing Farming Community Network Support Workers (FCN) has been formed to identify the specific needs of the group, and work is ongoing to widen access to services for famers through referrals by the FCN.

Cllr Mary Penfold said: “We must not lose sight of this; these people are the most vulnerable people in the area. By all of us working together we can take greater steps to helping them.”

Chairman Cllr David Walsh said: “We have been asked to note the progress made against the delivery plan and consider whether any further action is needed. We need to take the plan forward.”

The motion was unanimously passed.