10th September, 2013

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association has added its voice to those calling for action on rural suicide, on World Suicide Prevention Day.

ICSA Connaught/Ulster vice president and spokesperson on Health and Safety John Flynn, who attended the launch today of Pieta House’s Rural Suicide Intervention Initiative, said, “A recent report by the National Suicide Research Foundation shows that 13.2 per cent of those who took their own lives had worked in the agricultural sector – highlighting the sad reality that farming folk in particular can feel isolated, alone and unable to seek help when they’re feeling distressed.”

“Farming can be a stressful job at the best of times, and farmers have been under an incredible amount of stress recently as a result of crises such as the fodder shortage and subsequent financial pressure. We must come together as a community to address this but we also need action from the State in terms of resources in tackling this tragic and worrying problem.”