When you’re struggling with your own mental health, taking that first step can be the hardest of all.
Today’s theme is what is the industry doing about the issue of poor mental health and we caught up with Chris McVey, Welfare Manager, RSABI to learn more about the resource RSABI have made available with ‘Thrive Wellbeing’ – an app that allows those working in agriculture in Scotland take control of their own mental wellbeing and access support, when and where it is needed.
“We’re always aware that not everyone is keen to pick up the phone or speak face to face, especially when it comes to conversations about mental health,” explains Chris.
“We want to make sure we are responsive to the needs of the industry and provide services that are accessible to everybody, particularly younger people. We felt that THRIVE fits the bill.”
So what is Thrive?
According to Chris: “Thrive is a tool that is designed to support your mental wellbeing through the touch of a button – through an app, on your phone.”
A particular feature of the app, which is NHS Digitally Compliant, is its screening tool which provides users with a mental wellbeing score. “It sounds scary, but it really isn’t, it’s just an opportunity to look at how you are on a scale of 1-10 in different scenarios.”
This allows you to track your wellbeing over a period of time, either for monitoring yourself or to help with your conversations with a GP or a therapist.
Chris continues: “What we particularly liked about it is, if you use the screening tool and score particularly low, it will notify a therapist within THRIVE to make contact. So the user doesn’t need to make that first step to get in touch with someone, someone is proactively getting in touch with them.”
A live, in-app chat function is also available 8am-8pm allowing users to speak to a qualified therapist employed by Thrive at a time that suits them, and there are plans to make this option available 24/7. Other features include access to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) modules, helping users to better understand how their thoughts and feeling may influence their actions, as well as mindfulness, sleep, and stress reduction modules.
“It’s focused on self-help. On people taking control to make themselves feel better,” says Chris.
“It’s accessible on your phone so it’s convenient. You can access it when you need it rather than having to make an appointment to have a conversation. In this industry if you can offer something that works in a farmer’s schedule, you’re going to get better results.”
Who’s going to use it?
In the development stages, RSABI were keen to explore how THRIVE might help them reach the younger demographic.
Working closely with SAYFC’s (Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs) Development and Wellbeing committee, the team set up a year-long trial. “We decided to try it out with three clubs: Aberfeldy, Biggar, and Bell Baxter. Each member in the club received access to the app and we were in touch periodically during the year with information or useful links.”
The feedback was positive, with those involved commenting that it was accessible and fitted in with their schedule. “We do know some members received support for some serious issues – it’s upsetting, but it’s good to know the support was there for them when they needed it,” says Chris.
Taking the app to a wider audience
Following the success of the trial, RSABI have rolled the app out to a wider audience. Subject to availability, RSABI can provide free access to the app to people working in agriculture in Scotland – applications can be made through a simple form on the RSABI website.
Pleased with the uptake, RSABI have been surprised by the broad demographic engaging with it, with applications coming from young farmers to the more mature audience of over 50s.
The team are continuing to monitor uptake and use. “We want to see how it goes this year and how people are interacting with it. This will very much influence what the picture will look like for next year. But it’s a good way to engage with a demographic who don’t feel comfortable picking up the phone, who would rather have something more anonymous.
“It’s helping us test a different way of reaching people. It’s a different tool in the tool kit that we’re able to offer to people.”
Chris is confident the app has helped them reach new audiences, taking the conversation around mental health wider. “In the past two years we’ve been able to reach and support folk we probably would have been unable to reach otherwise. Even the conversations we’ve had around it – people have come to speak to us at shows and events about the app, opening the opportunity to talk to them about mental health and work life balance.”
To find out more information, visit rsabi.org.uk, or thrive.uk.com
