Farmer suicides and climate change

Unpredictable weather and a sense of powerlessness have contributed to suicide among farmers.

Droughts, fires and floods can have devastating consequences for farmers' mental health. The suicide rate for Australian farmers is also almost 59 percent higher than the general population, and research has confirmed a link between farmer suicides and extreme weather. With climate change predicted to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, Australia needs to prepare—or risk losing more farmer lives to suicide.