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Suicide in Rural Australia: Are Farming-Related Suicides Different?

Author

Listed:
  • Alison Kennedy

    (National Centre for Farmer Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria 3300, Australia)

  • Jessie Adams

    (Western District Health Service, Foster Street, Hamilton, Victoria 3300, Australia)

  • Jeremy Dwyer

    (Coroners Court of Victoria, Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Victoria 3006, Australia)

  • Muhammad Aziz Rahman

    (National Centre for Farmer Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria 3300, Australia
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, LaTrobe University, Victoria 3086, Australia
    School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions, Federation University, Victoria 3806, Australia)

  • Susan Brumby

    (National Centre for Farmer Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria 3300, Australia
    Western District Health Service, Foster Street, Hamilton, Victoria 3300, Australia)

Abstract

Rural Australians experience a range of health inequities—including higher rates of suicide—when compared to the general population. This retrospective cohort study compares demographic characteristics and suicide death circumstances of farming- and non-farming-related suicides in rural Victoria with the aim of: (a) exploring the contributing factors to farming-related suicide in Australia’s largest agricultural producing state; and (b) examining whether farming-related suicides differ from suicide in rural communities. Farming-related suicide deaths were more likely to: (a) be employed at the time of death (52.6% vs. 37.7%, OR = 1.84, 95% CIs 1.28–2.64); and, (b) have died through use of a firearm (30.1% vs. 8.7%, OR = 4.51, 95% CIs 2.97–6.92). However, farming-related suicides were less likely to (a) have a diagnosed mental illness (36.1% vs. 46.1%, OR=0.66, 95% CIs 0.46–0.96) and, (b) have received mental health support more than six weeks prior to death (39.8% vs. 50.0%, OR = 0.66, 95% CIs 0.46–0.95). A range of suicide prevention strategies need adopting across all segments of the rural population irrespective of farming status. However, data from farming-related suicides highlight the need for targeted firearm-related suicide prevention measures and appropriate, tailored and accessible support services to support health, well-being and safety for members of farming communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Alison Kennedy & Jessie Adams & Jeremy Dwyer & Muhammad Aziz Rahman & Susan Brumby, 2020. "Suicide in Rural Australia: Are Farming-Related Suicides Different?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:2010-:d:333935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sciascia, Salvatore & Mazzola, Pietro & Kellermanns, Franz W., 2014. "Family management and profitability in private family-owned firms: Introducing generational stage and the socioemotional wealth perspective," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(2), pages 131-137.
    2. Lisa Kunde & Kairi Kõlves & Brian Kelly & Prasuna Reddy & Diego De Leo, 2017. "Pathways to Suicide in Australian Farmers: A Life Chart Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Anthony King, 2017. "Technology: The Future of Agriculture," Nature, Nature, vol. 544(7651), pages 21-23, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Emelynne Gabrielly de Oliveira Santos & Paulo Roberto Queiroz & Aryelly Dayane da Silva Nunes & Kelly Graziani Giacchero Vedana & Isabelle Ribeiro Barbosa, 2021. "Factors Associated with Suicidal Behavior in Farmers: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Ivan C. Hanigan & Timothy B. Chaston, 2022. "Climate Change, Drought and Rural Suicide in New South Wales, Australia: Future Impact Scenario Projections to 2099," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Dale D. Woolford & Matthew F. Smout & Deborah Turnbull & Kate M. Gunn, 2022. "Male Farmers’ Perspectives on Psychological Wellbeing Self-Management Strategies That Work for Them and How Barriers to Seeking Professional Mental Health Assistance Could Be Overcome," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, September.
    4. Laura Grattidge & Ha Hoang & Jonathan Mond & David Lees & Denis Visentin & Stuart Auckland, 2023. "Exploring Community-Based Suicide Prevention in the Context of Rural Australia: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-18, February.

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