France is usually admired as a haven where social structure and networks provide for the citizens from cradle to grave. But that image could very well suffer after a study published this week shows that French farmers are committing suicide at the staggering rate of one almost every two days.
A total of 485 farmers have committed suicide in the three year span between 2007-2009. Cattle farmers seem to be the largest community affected.
Farmers were shown to have a higher suicide rate than the rest of the population. The ones most at risk of suicide were between the ages of 55 and 64, in which bracket the rate of suicide was nearly double that of the general population.
Farmers never have an easy deal. The financial stress and insecurity of each year's yield contribute to the sad trend. Markets also aggravate the situation when speculation in the global markets drives the prices down unexpectedly.
One of the factors, researchers believe, is the isolation suffered by farmers. They live in isolated rural communities, where resources are scarce, especially for those who would need psychological counseling.
French authorities are now undertaking the study of three subsequent years, from 2010 to 2012 to see if the trend held, in order to take action to assist or aid the farming community.
Source : France 24/ 10.11.13
No comments:
Post a Comment