Almost one in four Irish farmers at risk of suicide

More than half of farmers experienced symptoms of moderate to extreme depression in the past week

Those with a greater emotional attachment to their farms were also more likely to have poor mental well-being. Picture: iStock

Almost a quarter (23.4%) of Irish farmers are at risk of taking their own life, according to “stark” research figures released to coincide with Agri Mental Health Week.

The study, funded by the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention, was conducted by University College Dublin’s School of Agriculture and Food Science and is based on a series of 10 one-to-one interviews with farmers, four focus groups, including one with industry professionals who deal directly with farmers, and a national survey carried out within the last four months.