Change Mental Health joined delegates from over 40 countries in October 2025 at the sixth European Rural Parliament, hosted in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire –the first time the event has been held in Scotland. 

Bringing together over 500 participants from across Europe, the gathering focused on key challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, with a strong emphasis on mental health, resilience and local empowerment. 

Change Mental Health was represented by Jim Hume, Director of Policy, Public Affairs and Communications, and Jamie Grant, Policy and Public Affairs Manager. Both played an active role in discussions around strengthening community resilience, championing equity in rural mental health and ensuring rural voices are not left out of national and European policymaking. 

As part of the programme, the National Rural and Islands Mental Health Forum, run by Change Mental Health, hosted one of the most booked activities of the weekend in the form of a mental health and wellbeing study visit. Delegates visited rural organisations in northeast Scotland, including The Community Collective, The Haven, The Seedbox and The Barn, to explore how local groups are addressing mental health through community food, arts, volunteering and peer support. 

“It’s vital that rural mental health remains at the heart of policy discussions in Scotland and across Europe. Too often, rural communities face barriers to accessing support – from poor transport links to social isolation. 

“Events like the European Rural Parliament provide an invaluable opportunity to collaborate, share solutions and push for systemic change that ensures no one, no matter where they live, is left behind. Our research shows what the real cost of underinvestment can be for our rural and island communities. Ahead of the upcoming Holyrood elections, we want to see all political parties recognise the importance of our rural and island communities across several policy domains. We will push on with exciting plans to improve mental health outcomes linked to tourism, economic development, housing, transport and, of course, equitable access to public health services.”

Jim Hume
Director of Public Affairs and Communications
Change Mental Health

Change Mental Health has long campaigned for better mental health provision in rural and island communities, highlighting how fragmented services and underfunding have contributed to widening health inequalities. The Forum, which brings together hundreds of organisations from the third, private and public sectors, continues to be a key platform for advocacy and shared learning. 

Jamie Grant, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, added:  

“Mental health, wellbeing and supporting those living with mental illness are crucial to a community’s overall health, wealth and resilience.  

“We’re honoured to take part in this democratic gathering of rural activists and campaigners from across the European continent, to plan and put into motion actions to improve and protect our rural communities. There’s strength in community, and we’ll always campaign to ensure support for mental illness and wellbeing stays firmly on the policy agenda – for Scotland, the UK and Europe.”

Change Mental Health called for rural mental health and wellbeing to be recognised as inseparable from housing, poverty, transport, food insecurity and access to services, and urged policymakers to respond with joined-up, community-led solutions. 

At the close of Parliament, participants collectively endorsed the Declaration of Inverurie, a rallying call for action from rural communities across Europe. 

The Declaration calls on all levels of government to: 

• Embed rural voices in policy design and delivery 
• Apply rural proofing across all policy domains 
• Provide fair, long-term investment in local solutions 
• Support inclusive, intergenerational and community-led development. 

“We do not ask for help; we ask for support in partnership,” the declaration states. “We are one and must be bold.” 

The European Rural Parliament is a democratic assembly held every two years to promote the voice of rural communities and influence European policy. This year’s event reflects Scotland’s leadership in rural innovation, mental health and community development, and underlines the importance of international collaboration in shaping a more inclusive and resilient future.