Dying to Farm: National-Level Survey Finds Farmers’ Top Stressor is Government Policies Designed to Reduce Climate Change

Mental health and suicide are continually reported as major concerns for those actively employed in the Irish farming sector. Despite this, to date, no published research has examined risk factors associated with poor mental health and suicide among farmers on the island of Ireland. The present study examined farmers’ well-being, suicidality, farming-related stressors, farm attachment, and psychological skills via an online national-level survey. 256 farmers (185 male; 71 female) aged 21 to 70 years (M age = 38.57 years; SD age = 13.225 years) responded to the survey. Key findings included (i) 23.4% of respondents being considered at risk for suicide, (ii) farmers rating “government policies designed to reduce climate change” as the top farming-related stressor (based on mean stress ratings), and (iii) farm stress being statistically significantly correlated with higher suicidal ideation and distress. Findings are situated in the context of ongoing qualitative work exploring factors impacting farmer mental health and suicide. More specifically, findings are discussed with reference to (i) farmers wanting to “have a voice in the media” and (ii) the need to include farmers in the design and implementation of government policies designed to reduce climate change. This research has been funded by the Health Service Executive National Office for Suicide Prevention as part of the Grant Scheme for Collaborative Research Projects 2021 – 2022. In line with the aims and objectives of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide, this scheme aims to further our understanding of the groups that are at increased risk for self-harm and suicide; and to promote and support collaborative research projects between researchers and services working in the area of suicide prevention in Ireland.