Pathways to Suicide in Australian Farmers: A Life Chart Analysis

Abstract

Farmers have been found to be at increased risk of suicide in Australia. The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behaviour suggests that the proximal factors leading to the suicidal desire or ideation include an individual’s experiences of both perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Suicidal desire with acquired capability to engage in lethal self-injury is predictive of suicidal behaviour. This study investigates the pathways to suicide of 18 Australian male farmers in order to understand the suicidal process and antecedents to suicide in Australian male farmers. The psychological autopsy (PA) method was used to generate life charts. Two pathways with distinct suicidal processes were identified: acute situational (romantic relationship problems and financial concerns/pending retirement) and protracted (long-term psychiatric disorder). Long working hours, interpersonal conflicts, physical illnesses and pain, alcohol abuse, access to firearms, and exposure to drought were additional common factors identified. An understanding of the interrelatedness of diverse distal and proximal risk factors on suicidal pathways in the wider environmental context for male farmers is required when developing and implementing rural suicide prevention activities.

“The Masks We Wear”: A Qualitative Study of Suicide in Australian Farmers

“…Drought has been speculated as strongly linked with an increase of suicide in rural populations, particularly male farmers, and it was observed in our previous study as a common factor among farmers . Our findings support Sartore and colleagues’ observation that farmers experienced elevated stress in response to feelings of uncertainty and lack of control as a result of unplanned and unwanted regulatory and financial changes implemented during drought.…”

“…This further extends on our previous findings that identified 2 pathways to suicide: acute situational (romantic relationship problems and financial concerns) and protracted (long-term psychiatric disorder), and that long work hours, interpersonal conflict, physical and mental illness, alcohol consumption, drought, and access to firearms were common contributing factors. 16 Themes provide a deeper insight into how depression and suicide among farmers are interconnected with rural masculine ideals of work, family, and the importance of emotional and physical strength, and the gender identities as a provider and protector.…”

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

“…Given that the majority of Australian farms remain family owned and operated [9], this occupational vulnerability is likely to extend beyond those defined as farmers to include family members living and helping out on farms.Australia's farmers have been identified as at risk of psychological distress [10,11] and heightened rates of suicide [12][13][14][15], in the absence of any clear evidence of higher rates of diagnosed mental illness [16]. Poor mental health and suicide risk in farming have been attributed to a complex range of interconnected cultural, environmental, geographical, social and psychological risk factors [11,[17][18][19][20]. These factors include poor access to support services [21,22], an unsustainable work ethic [23], uncertainty and lack of control in farming [23], social disconnection [17,19], poor business profitability [24], acclimatisation to risk taking [25] and access to means [14].…”

Evaluation of the SCARF Well‐Being and Suicide Prevention Program for Rural Australian Communities

“…Researchers have identified stressors and risk factors within the rural and farming context including adversity due to drought, familiarity with and access to firearms, and sociocultural norms of masculinity that may affect help‐seeking . Programs that address lifestyle factors associated with suicide risk, such as increased alcohol consumption and work stress, and that take into account the sociocultural and physical environment may be helpful . Australian research endorses GKT to upskill key members of rural communities to identify, assess, and manage (or refer) mental health problems while increasing their knowledge about available health services .…”

“…[4][5][6] Programs that address lifestyle factors associated with suicide risk, such as increased alcohol consumption and work stress, and that take into account the sociocultural and physical environment may be helpful. [13][14][15] Australian research endorses GKT to upskill key members of rural communities to identify, assess, and manage (or refer) mental health problems while increasing their knowledge about available health services. [16][17][18] As these key members have existing and trusted relationships with farmers, [16][17][18][19] GKT may also enhance selfefficacy to respond to and assist farmers at risk.…”