8 OCTOBER 2015

Suicide Action Plan Failing Farmers

The failure of the Government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan to address the issue of rural suicide is costing farmers their lives and the farming sector economically, says New Zealand First.

“The number of suicides directly related to farming increased to 27 in the last financial year – up from 20 in 2012/13,” says Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“With each suicide estimated to cost $3million in lost economic production, this means over $80 million was lost from the farming sector directly due to suicide in 2014/15.

“Farmers are having a tough ride at the moment with the continuing dairy crisis but with the serious threat of an El Nino drought looming on the horizon it is not going to get any easier.

“Ticking boxes on an action plan is not enough in the face of the coming crisis. The delivery of on-the-ground mental health services for famers is what is desperately required throughout the coming summer because the impact of each suicide is so great,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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