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Citation |
Scheyett AM, Bayakly R, Whitaker M. J. Rural Ment. Health 2019; 43(2-3): 61-72. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2019, National Association for Rural Mental Health, Publisher American Psychological Association) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Farmers and agricultural workers are at elevated risk of suicide. The majority of farmer suicide research has been completed in Australia; less is known about farmer suicide in the United States and in specific regions of the country. This study addressed this knowledge gap by examining suicide data for farmers and agricultural workers from the Georgia Violent Death Reporting System, 2008-2015. We found that farmers who died by suicide were predominantly male, White, non-Hispanic, and older, with slightly fewer than half being married, and half having a high school education or less. The most common means of death was gunshot wound (78%), followed by hanging (16%). The contextual factors most frequently reported to be associated with suicide were relationship conflict or loss (25%) and health problems (25%), including chronic pain and decreased function. Financial problems (12%) and substance use (11%) also were associated with suicides. In 21% of cases, the individual was reported to have made prior suicidal threats; however, family members were reported to often discount these indicators. These findings suggest that suicide prevention programs might include suicide education for community members in rural areas. Rural health care providers could be trained in suicide risk detection and referral actions for farmers with illness, pain, or loss of functioning, and service providers who may be aware of farmer relationship problems--clergy, funeral home directors--also could be trained. Additional research is needed to gain deeper understanding of risk factors for farmer suicide and to design and test possible interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved) Language: en |
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Keywords |
Agricultural Workers; Death and Dying; Financial Strain; Job Knowledge; Rural Environments; Stress; Suicide; Suicide Prevention; Violence |