Under pressure farmers seek help as feed crisis takes its toll on health

BY FRANCIS FARRAGHER

TWO of the main organisations involved in the prevention of suicide and self-harm have reported increases in calls from people in rural areas over the late Spring period, coinciding with the fodder, grass and financial crisis that has hit farmers across the country.

Galway IFA’s Farm Family and Social Affairs Chairperson, Maura Canning, told the Farming Tribune that organisations like Pieta House and Console had told her of the increase in calls from members of the farming and rural communities over the past couple of months.

Last Sunday, despite the ongoing inclement weather, there was a large turnout for a Green Ribbon walk in Portumna Forest Park, one in a number of such events aimed at increasing the awareness of mental health problems in rural areas.

“We need to get people talking about stress, worries and mental health issues. This has been a terrible Spring and past year for farmers  – many of them feel under tremendous pressure because of the fodder and grass crisis.

“The main message we want to get out there is that people aren’t alone in this situation. Thousands of farmers across Galway are in the same boat and feel under pressure – it is vital for those people to know that they can talk about these issues and get help should the need arise,” said Maura Canning.

She said that she had been told by *Pieta House and by *Console that there was a significant increase in the number of calls they had received over the late Spring period from farmers and rural dwellers who felt under serious stress.

“It is very worrying but it is also a consolation to know that these people are aware that there is help out there and that they have made that initial contact with organisations like Pieta House and Console,” said Maura Canning.

A Galway East Life Support (G.E.L.S) group has also been set up on a voluntary basis to help out individuals or families who may be feeling under stress after what is generally accepted to have been the worst farming ‘weather year’ in living memory.

Last Sunday’s walk was officially launched by country singing star Mike Denver and included representatives from a number of organisations involved in mental health issues.

*Pieta House is a non-profit organisation that provides a free, specialised treatement programme for people who have suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harming. They can be contacted at 061-484444.

*Console was established in 2002 by Paul Kelly after he had experienced the grief of losing a loved one by suicide. They provide a dedicated Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention Service in Ireland and can be contacted at 1800-247-100. The SOS number is: 1890-577-577. The Samaritans can be contacted at 1850-60-90-90.