The Epidemiology of Suicide Among Farm Residents or Workers in Five North-Central States, 1980-1988

Abstract

We studied suicide rates of those who resided in or worked within the five-state upper Midwest area (Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana) on farms and ranches from 1980 to 1988. All resident deaths constituted the universe of events (approximately 101,000 deaths per year). We retained only those deaths classified on the death certificate as “suicide” or “undetermined” and meeting specific residence and occupational criteria. Four rural populations were identified as at risk for suicide: farmers, farm women (homemakers), farm laborers, and children and adolescents. The rate of suicide among farmers ranged from 42 to 58 suicides per 100,000 farmers and ranchers. The rates of suicide for farm laborers and farm women were much lower, 3 to 6 and 2 to 9 events per 100,000, respectively. Children and adolescents residing on farms had the lowest suicide rates overall, at 1 to 4 events per 100,000; hobby farmers and farmers who held occupational positions off the farm had suicide rates of 3 to 30 events per 100,000. South Dakota and Montana reported proportionately more suicides of farmers and ranchers; Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin had fewer deaths. The typical farmer who committed suicide was 64 years of age; a farm woman, 48 years of age; farm laborer, 37 years of age; dual occupation farmer, 58 years of age; and an adolescent, 18 years of age. Among farmers, more suicides were detected during the Sunday through Tuesday interval; children, adolescents, and farm women were more likely to commit suicide on Friday or Saturday. April through June typically contained more events than other months, regardless of individual occupation. Where time of event was known, more farmers and farm women committed suicide between 9:00 AM and noon. Farm laborers and children and adolescents were most likely to commit suicide between midnight and 6:00 AM. Most victims chose firearms or poisoning by gas as the suicide method. Farm women, children, adolescents, and farm laborers were typically at low risk for suicide, but farmers and ranchers were one and one-half to two times more likely to commit suicide than other groups of men. We demonstrate a need for targeted research about underlying etiology and interventions focused on adult male residents of upper Midwest farms and ranches.