Suicide is a reality in many workplaces. Work may exacerbate the stresses and psychological conditions leading to people thinking of suicide and it can create those stresses. Most workers at risk of suicide show signs of distress, just as all workplaces show signs like near misses, but these signs are often not recognised. Mates in Construction is one program that teaches the recognition of these signs after an increasing suicide rate but Australian farmers are also killing themselves. This reality has generated The Ripple Effect program to, initially, raise awareness of the risks and to de-stigmatise suicide and psychological issues.
Research into farmer suicides has been given some prominence over the last few years. (This audio interview is a good indication) At least one research literature review into the issue has been followed up with real-world research. Such research needs to include a broad range of issues, particularly including gender. Gender studies have been dominated by feminist perspectives for decades but, particularly in the case of farming, some of the research and work undertaken in the male-dominated mining and construction sectors needs serious consideration.
Farming is often seen as remote and isolated and this perspective is imposed onto interpreting workplace hazards. But the social impact of a workplace incident or death in the country is just as significant as one in urban areas, in fact, the remoteness probably increases the social “ripple effect”. The psychosocial issues of workload and working hours, or those associated with bureaucracy, precarious work, fluctuating incomes and work/life balance, can be just as influential on worker health and safety in the country as elsewhere. These matters are not symptoms of urban work but of work generally. Hazard control measures and interventions may be different, because of resource restrictions and different social and support networks, but the hazards are the same.
The challenge is to develop multifaceted interventions in a strategic manner. Otherwise the challenge seems so big that nothing changes.
It is also important that OHS regulators do not dispute the work-related elements of a suicide by over-emphasising the social or family pressures and that the family does not place all of the blame on to the employer or work factors. There needs to be a balance, respect and discretion in developing risk and harm control measures and in discussing the issue.
Suicides are the end result of a build-up of a range of psychosocial issues. Signs exist of this build-up but we rarely read them as such. Men, in particular, (and Australian farmers are mostly male) are often dismissive of these signs and respond by advising mates to “toughen up”, or have another drink, or “she’ll be right”. (All elements of the current trend in resilience training or coping mechanisms – short term and shallow strategies) These dismissals have been lauded in the past as important elements of the Australian (masculine) culture but such responses can isolate workers at risk further, rather than providing opportunities for help.
Suicide continues to be a challenge for the OHS profession but the more it is talked about, the less stigma it generates, and the closer we will get to reducing those risks.
Tagged: Australian farmers, psychological conditions Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
