The Jolt: Warnings of a suicide spike among farmers in south Georgia

https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/the-jolt-warnings-suicide-spike-among-farmers-south-georgia/f3EGKXNLXqJ7hwvUKkb6eO/


Over the weekend, the Associated Press reported that a University of Georgia researcher has warned of a potential uptick in suicides within the state’s agriculture community.

Scientists are learning more about suicides among Georgia farmers — and they say the aftermath of Hurricane Michael could bring more risks to rural areas.Warning more about suicides among Georgia farmers — and they say the aftermath of Hurricane Michael could bring more risks to rural areas.

The AP article was a rewrite of a WABE (90.1FM) piece that aired last week, featuring research by Anna Scheyett, dean of the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work.Back in March, Scheyett and her colleagues had published “Characteristics and contextual stressors in farmer and agricultural worker suicides in Georgia from 2008–2015.” From the original UGA press release:
The study looked at 106 suicides among farmers and agricultural workers that occurred in Georgia from 2008 to 2015, as reported in the Georgia Violent Death Reporting System.

It found that relationship difficulties and endings, health problems and financial problems were most commonly associated with farmer suicides. Farmers who died by suicide were predominantly white males over 50 years of age – a figure that reflects the demographics of the farming profession in Georgia.

The most common means of death was a gunshot wound (78%). Relationship (25%) and chronic health problems (25%) accounted for half of the 106 deaths. Financial stress came next at 12%.But Scheyette hints that the above figures might be subject to change. Remember that her statistics stop at 2015. They don’t take into account the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael last year, or the current trade war with China.