Rural mental health focus for pioneering police partnership

A pioneering new partnership involving a host of organisations representing farming, gamekeeping, mental health, field sports and target shooting has been established in Scotland to build awareness and understanding of health and wellbeing in relation to firearms licensing.

In a UK-first, the Scottish Firearms Mental Health Awareness and Support Partnership is seeing key partner agencies working alongside Police Scotland’s Firearms Licensing unit, a team of police officers and staff based in communities across Scotland.

The vision of the initiative, led by Chief Inspector Bruce Crawford of Police Scotland’s National Firearms and Explosives Licensing (NFEL) team, is for certificate holders in Scotland to feel safe and supported to report changes in their mental health and wellbeing, contributing to the prevention of suicide within the community. Supporting the partnership are a host of mental health and rural organisations, agencies and charities.

CI Bruce Crawford said: “This partnership has the potential to deliver huge benefits in the rural community, and this is very much down to the commitment, ideas, energy and enthusiasm being shown by the partners involved.”

“We all share a common ground – we want people to come forward and ask for help if something significant changes in their life. There is so much excellent mental health support available. The biggest show of strength is for people to recognise, at an early stage, when there may be a cause for concern and act quickly. We are encouraging people to come forward early, share information and get help.

“By being proactive and addressing the issue, we can see people have clear insight into their situation and how that may impact their suitability to hold a licence. It gives us a signal they are acting responsibly as a certificate holder and showing a willingness to work with us, get support and start getting back on track.”

The work of the partnership aims to raise awareness not just among the licence holding community but also with families, friends, colleagues, and associates so there is community-wide knowledge that if something changes, support is available.

This message will be strong and clear at the Royal Highland Show and many other rural shows this year where visitors will be invited to add their signatures to a pledge “to help communities talk openly about mental health and support early action to seek help.”

A huge flag with the pledge wording will be on display at RSABI’s stand opposite the Members’ Pavilion, in front of the former Young Farmers’ centre throughout the week of the show (18 – 21 June 2026) with plenty of space for signatures to show support. There will also be an opportunity to chat to representatives of many of the organisations involved in the partnership.