RESEARCH OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LOOKS AT THE HIGH SUICIDE RATE AMONG FARMERS.

RECENT DATA FROM THE C-D-C SHOWS THAT FARMERS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO TAKE THEIR LIVES AS THOSE WORKING IN OTHER PROFESSIONS. U OF I AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING PROFESSOR JOSIE RUDOLPHI SAYS THERE ARE SO MANY UNCERTAINTIES IN THE FARMING INDUSTRY THAT CAUSE EXTRA STRESS.

ANOTHER PROBLEM IS LACK OF ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND FARMERS NOT SEEKING HELP. RUDOLPHI SAYS THEY FOUND THAT OLDER FARMERS ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF SUICIDE. SHE SAYS THEY WANT TO CONTINUE THEIR RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY OTHER RISK FACTORS.

RUDOLPHI SAYS LACK OF ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS ALSO A PROBLEM. SHE SAYS THEY ARE HOPING TO IDENTIFY MORE RISK FACTORS THAT LEAD TO FARMER SUICIDE.