Bid to help farmers at risk of suicide

The impact of the fodder crisis has been cited as one of the main factors behind the suspected deaths by suicide of seven West Clare farmers.

There has also been an increase in the number of contacts made by farmers to the Pieta House suicide and self-harm prevention centre in Mungret, Limerick, following a joint initiative with the IFA.

Referrals to the centre from all sections of society continue to rise, from 352 in 2011 to more than 700 in 2012, and is projected to top 1,200 this year.

Local IFA leaders have revealed that the lives of three farmers who were at risk of suicide were saved after intervention.

Clare IFA leaders have said the chronic fodder shortage, cash flow problems, stress caused by farm inspections, and rural isolation all contributed to the deaths by suicide.

Clare IFA chairman Andrew Dundas said that fodder shortages had caused huge mental difficulties for farmers.

Like a lot of farmers, Mr Dundas could not finish his second silage cut last year for the first time since 1985. He said difficulties securing alternative fodder has caused huge problems.

He said that a combination of different factors had resulted in the seven deaths by suicide, three of which occurred in just one two-week period.

“Rural isolation is a major problem,” he said. “It is important for farmers to be aware that bodies like the Pieta House and the Samaritans can help farmers. There is no easy solution and it is not an easy subject to talk about.

“Farmers have been subjected to extreme pressure over the last 12 months.”

Tom McEvoy of Pieta House said there has been a big increase in contacts from farmers this year.

Pieta House provides a weekend training courses for farmers to help them identify symptoms of someone in extreme distress and what appropriate steps could be taken to help their recovery.

“There seems to be a reluctance amongst some farmers to engage with services like Pieta House when they are in crisis because of pride,” said Mr McEvoy. “However, the work with the IFA has helped farmers to realise it is very easy to make a referral to the centre where therapy will be provided free of charge almost immediately.”

ICMSA representative, Patrick O’Donoghue said not having enough money to buy fodder for farm animals and in some cases to pay household bills and put food on the table for the family has caused huge mental anguish in the farming community.