IFA and Pieta House put rural suicide in the spotlight

Rural populations are more at risk of suicide than urban communities and the rate tends to escalate with levels of remoteness, says the IFA.

Globally, men have been shown to be three times likelier to commit suicide than women; in Ireland, they are four times more likely. An estimated 13% of those who die from suicide are from an agricultural background.

The IFA, which has been working with Pieta House since 2011 to provide information and support to farmers and their families, said that figure rises to four times more likely.

Farmers who are feeling suicidal, or their families, can be put in in direct contact with a Pieta House trained therapist via the Mind Our Farm Families phone line and counselling service. A therapist will provide a compassionate, solution focussed, one-to-one counselling service completely free of charge.

The phone line provides support not just to the person who is feeling suicidal but also to concerned family members or friends.

IFA Farm Family chairwoman Maura Canning, said: “We want to make sure that farmers and their families have an outlet to talk.

“For a lot people just talking, sharing their pain, is almost like a weight being lifted from their shoulders,” she said, urging anybody with a concern about a family member or friend to reach out.”

She said farm families, economic difficulties, trying to cope with increased regulation, increased price volatility and falling incomes, are very challenging for farm families.

The Mind Our Farm Families phone line 1890 130 022 is accessible Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. Outside of these hours, The Samaritans on 116 123 and Console on 1800 247 247 provide 24 hour support. Console also provides a support service for families bereaved by suicide.