Farmers, fishermen and forestry workers together had the highest suicide rate by far among occupational groups in a Centers for Disease Control analysis of data from 17 states in 2012. Overall, the prevalence of suicide increased from 2000 to 2012 and is now the 10th leading cause of death among all Americans aged 16 or older.
In an article in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researchers said the suicide rate for the occupational grouping of farming, fishing and forestry was 84.5 per 100,000 people. Second-highest was the construction and extraction group at 53.3 suicides per 100,000. The U.S. average was 16.1 suicides per 100,000. Men commit three-fourths of suicides.
“Previous research suggests that farmers’ chronic exposure to pesticides might affect the neurologic system and contribute to depressive symptoms,” the study said. “Other factors that might contribute to suicide among farmers include social isolation, potential for financial losses, barriers to and unwillingness to seek mental health services (which might be limited in rural areas), and access to lethal means.”
Just as farming, fishing and forestry had the highest overall suicide rate, it was the leading group for suicides by men, at 90.5 deaths per 100,000. The group with the highest suicide rate among women was protective services, such as police officers or firefighters, at 14.1 deaths per 100,000.