Feasibility of a Responsive, Region-Specific Approach to Addressing Suicidal Behaviors in the Agricultural Sector: The PsyAgri Program

Introduction: The agricultural population differs from other worker populations in that it has a higher-than-average suicide mortality rate. As part of the interagency roadmap to combat 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: Data on emergency department visits for suicide attempts (SA) between 2018 and 2022, drawn from the Emergency and Death Health Surveillance System, were analyzed and cross-referenced with data from the 2020 Agricultural Census. Trends in the rate of emergency department visits for suicide attempts were broken down by quartiles of agricultural density at the national level and by region to track these dynamics. Results: In mainland France, the rate of emergency department visits for GS 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. Regional trends over time are generally upward, though with some variations. Conclusion: Cross-referencing data on emergency department visits for GS with agricultural density at the municipal level makes it possible to develop a tool for monitoring trends in GS. These initial results open up opportunities for geographic 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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