This story from the Herald Sun shows that 106 farmers have taken their own lives due to the prolonged drought over the past 7 years. Why is it then that the VEAC investigation is allowed to go ahead and the government is pushing for their north-south pipeline? Do they want to hit the farmers and country communities while they're down? Why push for issues like these when country people are suffering enough as it is!!
PROLONGED drought has been blamed for the suicide deaths of 106 Victorian farmers in the past seven years. And Beyondblue deputy chief executive Nicole Highet said the real number of suicides among farmers could be dramatically higher because only cases clearly identified as suicides were included in the figures, which were issued to the Herald Sun by the Victorian coroner.
Most of the suicides were among middle-aged male farmers, but three women also killed themselves, the Herald Sun reported. Guns were used in almost half the deaths. Dr Highet said many single-vehicle accidents in rural areas were often suicides.
“A number of deaths are not identified as suicides but seen as accidents, so it's likely to be under-reported,” she said. “We are seeing the impact drought is having on people's mental health and livelihood.”
Salvation Army drought support co-ordinator Lyn Cochrane said farming families were suffering.
“We are seeing increased levels of domestic violence,” Major Cochrane said. “History tells us this is what can happen: people stick through thick and thin, but reach a breaking point.”
“We are seeing increased levels of domestic violence,” Major Cochrane said. “History tells us this is what can happen: people stick through thick and thin, but reach a breaking point.”
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