Feasibility of a responsive, region-specific approach to addressing suicidal behavior in the agricultural sector: the PsyAgri program

Introduction: The agricultural population differs from other worker populations in that it has a higher rate of suicide-related deaths. As part of the interagency roadmap aimed at addressing mental health issues in agriculture, Santé publique France explored the feasibility of using emergency department visit data to implement a responsive, region-specific targeting strategy for the agricultural areas most at risk. Method: Emergency department visit data from the Emergency and Death Health Surveillance System for suicide attempts (SA) between 2018 and 2022 were analyzed and cross-referenced with data from the 2020 Agricultural Census. Changes in the rate of emergency department visits for suicide attempts were broken down by agricultural density quartiles at the national level and by region to track trends. Results: In mainland France, the rate of emergency department visits for suicide attempts increases with agricultural density. The average rate of emergency department visits in municipalities with the highest agricultural density is significantly higher than in those with the lowest agricultural density. This is the case in most regions. Regarding regional temporal trends, they are generally on the rise, though with some disparities. Conclusion: Cross-referencing emergency department visit data for GS with agricultural density at the municipal level enables the development of a tool for monitoring trends in GS. These initial results open up opportunities for territorial targeting to prioritize the implementation of local public health policies, particularly training in the early detection of GS.

Author(s): Vigneron Chloé, Martel Mélanie, Vernay Michel

Publishing year: 2025

Pages: 181-190

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