On June 14, Agriland reported that 22.8% of farmers who participated in a national survey conducted by University College Dublin (UCD) considered themselves at risk of suicide.
Farmers reported having suicidal thoughts or impulses in the past two weeks. The findings are based on responses from 457 farmers between the ages of 18 and 77 across the country. Additionally, more than 82% of farmers who responded to the survey said they personally knew someone who had committed suicide.
The majority of respondents were dairy farmers (163), followed by beef producers (138), joint venture owners (103), sheep farmers (35) and farmers (11). About a third of those who participated in the study farmed between 50 and 100 hectares of land.
Farmers reported working on the farm an average of 8 hours per day. However, the results show that the work day can last up to 18 hours.
A similar survey conducted last year found that 23.4% of farmers participating in the study reported having suicidal thoughts.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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