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.