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CDC: Farmers, Fishermen Have Highest Suicide Rate of Any Occupation

According to a recent national study, men who work as farmers take their own lives at a rate seven times the national average. Harvest Public Media’s Luke Runyon has more.


Learn more about this story and other stories affecting the rural Midwest at HarvestPublicMedia.org

(SCRIPT)
Overall suicide rates have climbed more than 20 percent since the year 2000. According to a preliminary study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... farmers, along with fishermen and foresters, make up the group most likely to die by suicide. CDC researchers suspect farmers and fishermen are more likely to take their own lives because their work is often located in isolated rural areas where it’s harder to access mental health services. Plus, the jobs are stressful, and income can be volatile and unreliable. The report also noted there’s some evidence that farmers' exposure to pesticides may contribute to mental health problems. Luke Runyon, Harvest Public Media.

Harvest Public Media is a reporting collaboration focused on issues of food, fuel and field. Based at KCUR in Kansas City, Harvest covers these agriculture-related topics through an expanding network of reporters and partner stations throughout the Midwest. Global demand for food and fuel is rising, and the push and pull for resources has serious ramifications for our country’s economic prosperity. What’s more, we all eat, so we all have a stake in how our food is produced In the Midwest, in particular, today’s emerging agenda for agriculture is headlined by climate change, food safety, biofuel production, animal welfare, water quality, and sustainability. By examining these local, regional and national issues and their implications with in-depth and unbiased reporting, Harvest is filling a critical information void. Most Harvest Public Media stories begin with radio — regular reports are aired on our member stations in the Midwest. But Harvest also explores issues through online analyses, television documentaries and features, podcasts, photography, video, blogs and social networking. We are committed to the highest journalistic standards. Click here to read our ethics policy.