FARMERS can often work all day without meeting another soul according to Labour Spokesperson on Food & Agriculture Seán Sherlock TD who is calling for a targeted strategy to combat feelings of depression and isolation amongst members of the farming community.

The calls follows a parliamentary question which he tabled to Health Minister Mary Harney on the issue who said 'Reach Out' - a national strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention launched in September 2005 - recognises the importance of reaching out to people who are self-employed or those who work in places and settings that can be isolated, such as farmers."'Reach Out provides a policy framework for suicide prevention activities in Ireland.

The strategy calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the prevention of suicidal behaviour in order to foster cooperation between health, education, community, voluntary and private sector agencies," the Health Minister told Deputy Sherlock."Implementation of these Strategy documents is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive," she added.However, the Labour TD has said the HSE must develop a targeted approach on this issue with Irish farmers now one of the largest groups to be affected by social change.

"Many farmers and their wives nowadays feel very isolated and lonely. And while recommendations have been made toward the fostering of positive mental health across the entire community many members of the farming community have yet to see evidence of this," said Deputy Sherlock."

There have been more and more cases coming to light concerning animal welfare on farms which have been repeatedly linked to mental health issues. It has been well documented in these cases that financial worries left farmers feeling isolated and alone which in such cases led them to neglect their everyday duties.

They simply felt there was nowhere to turn," he continued.Deputy Sherlock is now calling on the HSE to adapt their existing strategy to ensure it reaches out directly to members of the rural and farming community.