Rural stress helpline sees a doubling in calls

THE number of calls to the Farm and Rural Stress Helpline in Cork and Kerry has doubled in the first six months of this year compared to last year, according to experts.

HSE South members were told of “a huge change in the profile of people who are calling the rural helpline” since the downturn began over two years.

Suicide Resource Officer in Cork and Kerry, Brenda Crowley said that many of those calling the helpline are people who admit that they never experienced such high stress levels before.