On 28 July 2022, a leaflet providing information on mental health support for firearms license holders has been released by members of the Scottish Firearms Licensing Practitioners Group. The group is composed of organisations who represent those with shooting interests in Scotland, the Scottish Government and Police Scotland.
The leaflet aims to highlight the support that is available to certificate holders (as well as their family, friends and fellow club members) and outlines to people with concerns how they can seek help.
Members of the group have engaged with a number of Scottish mental health charities to raise awareness of some of the specific challenges and ensure there is a network of mental health expertise and support available across Scotland’s shooting community. While members of the shooting community are no more susceptible to dips in mental health than the rest of the population, it is important they, and those close to them, are aware of who they can turn to for advice and support.
Fraser Lamb of the Scottish Association of Country Sports said:
SACS completely supports the advice in this publication. We understand that mental health can, and does, affect a sizeable proportion of the communities in Scotland. It really is OK to tell us you’re not OK. The long-term wellbeing of those involved in country sports is paramount. We understand that guns will be taken on occasions by the police for immediate public safety reasons, but this is not automatically the case and information about what may happen and the contact details of support agencies is so important when people are perhaps not at their best. Additionally, we know that the wider, legitimate firearms owning community in the UK is a law abiding and very responsible community who instinctively do the right thing.
Helen Benson of the Gamekeepers Welfare Trust said:
This publication provides important information and guidance for those who are concerned for their mental wellbeing. It is imperative that support can be sought without fear of removal of essential tools of the trade. There is nothing more vital to us all than health and we hope this clear advice will provide reassurance for anyone who seek support. There are sensible options available.
Jim Hume of the Rural Mental Health forum said:
Everyone can experience poor mental health at some point in their life and it is important that you get support as quickly as possible. This leaflet gives you all the information on where to go to for advice and help. It is okay to not be okay and it is everyone’s business to tackle mental health, so we can all lead our lives to the full and carry on with the activities and work that we love.
Oliver Barsby of Scottish Target Shooting said:
Target shooting is one of the safest activities around and we all go to great lengths to keep it that way. We all know the positive messages around keeping ourselves in good physical health. but we also need to make sure we support members to look after their mental health too. Clubs provide an excellent peer network to identify and support each other but it is important clubs and their members know who can they can speak to in confidence if they have concerns about their own, or a fellow club member’s mental health. This leaflet is an excellent example of how working together with Police Scotland, the Scottish Government and our colleagues in other firearms related organisations, we can support members.
From 28 July, Scottish Target Shooting is going to include this with information sent out when individuals and clubs take out new, or renew, their memberships with STS. Police Scotland are also looking to include a hard copy of this leaflet when sending post to firearms or shotgun certificate holders in the future.
A copy of the leaflet can be downloaded below: