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Press and Journal
3 days ago
- General
- Press and Journal
New project to help drive down Scottish farming and crofting suicides
A major new research project aims to get a better understanding of some of the mental health issues typically faced by farmers and crofters and, ultimately, save lives. Stress, isolation, and poor access to healthcare – these are all too common realities of life in Scottish farming communities. Because of this, farmers are at higher risk of mental illness and suicide. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics and Public Health Scotland are alarming. In 2021 the UK suicide rate for male farm workers was about three times the male national average. Every week, three people in the agricultural sector die by suicide. RSABI, the charity supporting people in Scottish agriculture has now teamed up with Glasgow University for a new initiative aimed at tackling the problem. The three-year project will be supervised by Professor Rory O'Connor, director of the university's Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab. He is one of the world's leading experts in suicide prevention. RSABI and the university want to hear from prospective PhD researchers who are keen to undertake 'this vital work'. Their study will combine academic rigour with 'real-world impact', addressing challenges faced by people working in Scottish agriculture. The research will start with a major review of existing literature to explore links between agricultural life and suicide risk. In its second year, the project will conduct a national survey examining psychological and social factors affecting mental health in the farming community. The final phase will involve in-depth interviews with people from agricultural backgrounds who have experienced suicidal thoughts or been bereaved by suicide. RSABI chief executive Carol McLaren said: 'Tragically, suicide continues to be responsible for the loss of too many lives in the agricultural community. 'This research will play a vital role in deepening our understanding of the factors behind suicide in farming and help shape the most effective prevention strategies.' Tragically, suicide continues to be responsible for the loss of too many lives in the agricultural community.' Carol McLaren, CEO, RSABI Prof O'Connor, a former president of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, said: 'For far too long, suicide risk in agricultural communities has not received the attention that it so badly needs. 'Over the next three years, we hope to gain a better understanding of the specific factors associated with suicide risk, which will, in turn, inform suicide prevention efforts nationally and internationally.' The findings of the study will directly inform RSABI's suicide prevention activities and wider mental health support work. This will, in turn allow the charity to deliver more tailored services, campaigns and tools to support those at risk or affected by suicide. Applications are now being accepted from people with a strong academic background in psychology, mental health or related disciplines. Past experience of mental health-related research and/or practice as well as agricultural experience is especially welcome. Those interested in applying or finding out more about the project can get all the details they need via The launch of this study follows RSABI's recent appointment of Josie Barclay in the charity's newly created role of suicide prevention lead. In addition to overseeing the research project, the aim of Josie's role is to maximise the opportunity for partnership working and collaboration with specialist organisations involved in suicide prevention. RSABI's free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won't show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI's website at If you are having thoughts of suicide,speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines: If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.
The National
3 days ago
- General
- The National
This new study hopes to tackle suicide in Scottish farming
The PhD research project, aimed at understanding and preventing suicide within Scotland's farming and crofting communities, will be run for three years with the University of Glasgow. Professor Rory O'Connor, director of the university's suicidal behaviour research lab who is to supervise the project, is inviting interest from prospective PhD researchers to apply and be part of the team. The study will look to address the distinct challenges faced by people working in agriculture, a sector where stress, isolation, and poor access to healthcare contribute to significantly higher risks of mental ill-health and suicide. READ MORE: 200 fans cram into Scottish trad pub for surprise Tide Lines set The findings of the study will directly inform RSABI's suicide prevention activities and wider mental health support work, helping to deliver more tailored services, targeted campaigns, and innovative tools to support those at risk and those affected. The final phase of the study will involve in-depth interviews with individuals from agricultural backgrounds who have experienced suicidal thoughts or who have been bereaved by suicide. Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI, said: 'Tragically, suicide continues to be responsible for the loss of too many lives in the agricultural community. This research will play a vital role in deepening our understanding of the factors behind suicide in farming and help shape the most effective prevention strategies.' Professor O'Connor said: 'We are delighted to be partnering with RSABI on this important project. For far too long, suicide risk in agricultural communities has not received the attention that it so badly needs. "Over the next three years, we hope to gain a better understanding of the specific factors associated with suicide risk, which will, in turn, inform suicide prevention efforts nationally and internationally.' If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:
The 42
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Wexford stop Kilkenny from securing perfect run, Davy Fitzgerald's Antrim relegated
WEXFORD ENDED KILKENNY'S hopes of a perfect qualifying run with a 2-19 to 1-15 win at Chadwicks Wexford Park today. It was a tight opening with each side registering 0-3 after 10 minutes. However, Wexford scored nine of the next 10 points to earn the hosts a 0-12 to 0-5 half-time lead. Kilkenny had the wind advantage in the second half, but an early Rory O'Connor goal gave his side further breathing space. The visitors continued to look second best thereafter, and Lee Chin's goal with 11 minutes remaining all but sealed a victory for Keith Rossiter's side. Advertisement Kilkenny continued to fight, and a late TJ Reid goal reduced the deficit to eight points, but Derek Lyng's men never seriously threatened a comeback. The impressive Chin, contributed more than half of his side's points and finished with 1-13. Reid was Kilkenny's top scorer with 1-4. Elsewhere, Offaly beat Antrim 3-15 to 1-16 at Glenisk O'Connor Park. The result saw the visitors relegated from the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship. Davy Fitzgerald's side had their work cut out for them after Niall O'Connor received a straight red card in the seventh minute for a stamp on Charlie Mitchell. By that stage, the hosts were already boosted by an early Brian Duignan goal, and Dan Ravenhill then found the net from a penalty to give his side a 2-1 to 0-4 advantage in the early stages. Antrim showed resilience in adversity, however, and a couple of points from James McNaughton helped them draw level just before the half-hour mark. Offaly, though, finished the half strongly to secure a 2-9 to 0-11 lead at the break. The influential Duignan continued to impress in the second half as he contributed three scores early on to help Offaly move six points clear of their rivals. Three successive points from McNaughton gave Antrim hope, and the county's star performer also hit a goal to cut their rivals' lead to just a single point. But Offaly responded well to that setback, with Killian Sampson's goal coming just two minutes after they conceded. Duignan added another point from a free in the dying stages as his side saw out a hard-fought victory.
RTÉ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Wexford deny Kilkenny perfect qualifying run
Wexford picked up the pieces to deny Kilkenny a perfect run through qualifying as Rory O'Connor and Lee Chin goals nailed the home spoils in Sunday's concluding Leinster Senior hurling championship round-robin derby duel at Chadwicks Wexford Park. Indeed, despite Kilkenny fielding a rather experimental formation, they were desperately unlucky with a bunch of goaling opportunities, although Wexford quickly established a solid foundation to derive a consolation victory as their summer campaign reaches an early finish. Indeed, the home-side availed of first advantage of the strong wind to generate a 0-12 to 0-04 half-time lead - although Fionán Mackessy was desperately unfortunate to squander a gilt-edged goal chance for Kilkenny – and a early second-half Rory O'Connor goal paved the way for purple and gold celebrations amongst the 4,623 in attendance. In a game of little relevance, most intrigue circulated around usual Kilkenny gunslinger Adrian Mullen's siting at centre-back, as his management continue to try to discover a remedy And with Wexford allowing centre-forward Chin to roam, it gave Mullen the licence to affect certain situations in a composed outing but one which hardly provided a solid answer to their unease with that position. The neighbours shared six points inside the first eleven minutes, before Mikie Dwyer, Simon Donohoe – the latter from his own half – and Lee Chin (free) drove Wexford 0-06 to 0-03 clear after 16 minutes. While Cian Kenny pegged the gap back to two with his second personal contribution, four Chin scores (three frees) widened Wexford's advantage after 27 minutes (0-10 to 0-04). But the home-side suffered the setback of losing the defensive intelligence of Damien Reck through injury on 29 minutes after he got a leg between Owen Wall's attempted drive on goal in Wall's seasonal debut for the Cats. And the Wexford goal enjoyed a massive let off moments later when Mackessy soared through onto a Luke Connellan delivery only to unbelievably send the goaling opportunity wide. Chin (free) and midfielder Conor Hearne capitalised further, meanwhile, as Wexford emerged from a rather tepid first half with a seven-point buffer (0-12 to 0-05) after Connellan had ended a 21-minute Kilkenny scoring drought with a score three minutes into added-time. Wexford made every effort to consolidate their position when O'Connor responded to a pointed free from TJ Reid by blasting the net on 38 minutes after fetching Conor Foley's angled delivery into the right corner over Tommy Walsh's head and bursting through. However, while two further Chin frees stretched the hosts ahead by 1-14 to 0-07, Kilkenny twice threatened the Wexford net eleven minutes into the closing-half. Firstly, a line-ball from Killian Doyle found TJ Reid in a central position from which he offloaded for Mackessy, only for the Kerry-man to again strike wide. But play was pulled back for a free – and Reid saw his powerful strike blocked, before Connellan prospered from the rebound to cut the gap to 1-14 to 0-08 after 46 minutes. Kilkenny were by now seeking to bolster their attack as boss Derek Lyng summoned Stephen Donnelly and Gearoid Dunne from the bench. Mullen chipped in from distance for Kilkenny before they suffered their latest close miss in front of goal – and this being the narrowest, as Wexford defender Eoin Ryan only just swept off the goal-line at the expense of a pointed '65 after Donnelly had tipped a long delivery towards the net. Wexford ended their own mundane second half in explosive fashion, as substitute Conor McDonald bisected the uprights, before his cross found Chin for a thunderous finish to the net and a 2-17 to 0-11 gap on 60 minutes. Kilkenny's frustrations around goal continued as sub Gearoid Dunne was foiled before Reid saw another effort direct from a free kept out by Niall Murphy for a '65 from which Reid garnered some satisfaction to pare the deficit down to 2-18 to 0-12. The Noresiders eventually found some goal delight 73 seconds into injury-time when Reid deftly flicked home substitute Niall Shortall's neat assist for a consolation blow as the experimentation ends for Kilkenny ahead of the Leinster decider against Galway. Wexford: Mark Fanning; Eoin Ryan. Simon Donohoe (0-01), Conor Foley; Cian Molloy, Damien Reck, Darragh Carley; Conor Hearne (0-01), Corey Byrne-Dunbar; Jack O'Connor (0-01), Lee Chin (1-13, 9f), Rory O'Connor (1-01); Cian Byrne, Mikie Dwyer (0-01), Kevin Foley. Subs: Cathal Dunbar for Byrne, temp. (19-10'), Niall Murphy for Reck (29'), Dunbar for Dwyer (50'), Conor McDonald (0-01) for Byrne (55'), Darren Codd for J O'Connor (67'), Charlie McGuckin for Molloy (69'). Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Peter Connellan, Pádraic Moylan, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Adrian Mullen (0-01), Zach Bay Hammond; Killian Doyle (0-01), Peter McDonald; Luke Connellan (0-02), Cian Kenny (0-03), Fionán Mackessy (0-01); Billy Drennan (0-01), TJ Reid (1-04, 1f, 2 '65s), Owen Wall. Subs: Stephen Donnelly (0-01) for McDonald (44'), Gearoid Dunne for Wall (49'), Richie Reid (0-01) for Bay Hammond (59'), Niall Shortall for Drennan (66''), Shane Staunton for Mullen (68').
The 42
10-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Cathal Mannion stars as Galway overcome Wexford
Galway 1-29 Wexford 2-16 John Fallon reports from Pearse Stadium CATHAL MANNION marked his 60th championship game for Galway with an exhibition of scoring as he landed 0-17 to drive Galway to an invaluable Leinster SHC win at Pearse Stadium in Salthill. Mannion's haul, which included 11 frees, came from 19 shots at the target from the Ahascragh-Fohenagh clubman as Galway made it two wins from three in this year's championship. Captain Conor Whelan, playing further out the field, did not score but won an enormous amount of turnovers to lay the foundation for victory. The loss, their second in three games, leaves Wexford in serious trouble as they head into two final home games against Offaly and Kilkenny. Galway got on top in the second quarter and were good value for their 0-15 to 0-11 interval, having played against the breeze in the opening half on a pristine surface at Pearse Stadium. Cathal Mannion once again led the way for the Tribesmen and landed eight points, three of them from play, in that opening half, with centre-back Gavin Lee going forward to shoot a couple of excellent points from deep. Lee Chin, yet again, led the Wexford challenge, but Keith Rossiter's men did not make use of the wind and delivered very little ball directly. They recovered well after Brian Concannon and Mannion gave Galway an ideal start and struck the next four points to lead by 0-4 to 0-2 after seven minutes. Galway hit back and after drawing level, they opened up a three-point lead by the end of the opening quarter before Wexford responded with efforts from Kevin Foley, Chin and Conor Hearne drawing them level after 21 minutes. But Galway got on top after that and outscored Wexford by seven points to three from there to the break to turn around leading by 0-15 to 0-11. Advertisement Tom Monaghan and Rory O'Connor exchanged points after the restart before O'Connor raced from deep through the Galway defence and set up Cathal Dunbar for a goal which cut the gap to 0-16 to 1-12 after 42 minutes. Cathal Mannion wiped out that goal in just over three minutes with a fine effort from halfway, either side of two more pointed frees, while at the other end Darren Morrissey did well to deflect a goal effort from Rory O'Connor. But Wexford got a second goal when Cian Byrne finished off a good move involving Chin, Rory O'Connor and Richie Lawlor to cut the gap to two points at 0-22 to 2-14 after 58 minutes. Galway didn't panic and continued to pick off points with Mannion leading the way before they wrapped up the win when Conor Cooney finished a rebound to the net after Mark Fanning did well to deny Kevin Cooney. Scorers: Galway: Cathal Mannion 0-17 (0-11f), Conor Cooney 1-0, Brian Concannon 0-2, Gavin Lee 0-2, John Fleming 0-2, Cinan Fahy 0-2, Tom Monaghan 0-2, Colm Molloy 0-1, Sean Linnane 0-1. Wexford: Lee Chin 0-12 (0-9f, 0-1 '65), Cathal Dunbar 1-0, Cian Byrne 1-0, Jack O'Connor 0-1, Kevin Foley 0-1, Conor Hearne 0-1, Rory O'Connor 0-1. Galway: 1. Darach Fahy (Ardrahan) 2. Pádraic Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh) 3. Fintan Burke (St. Thomas') 4. Darren Morrissey (Sarsfields) 5. Cianán Fahy (Ardrahan) 6. Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge) 7. TJ Brennan (Clarinbridge) 8. David Burke (St. Thomas') 9. Tom Monaghan (Craughwell) 10. John Fleming (Meelick-Eyrecourt) 12. Tiernan Killeen (Loughrea) 13. Conor Whelan (Kinvara) 11. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh-Fohenagh) 14. Brian Concannon (Killimordaly) 15. Colm Molloy (Kilnadeema-Leitrim) Substitutes: 26. Anthony Burns (Loughrea) for Molloy (55) 23. Kevin Cooney (Sarsfields) for Killeen (55) 20. Seán Linnane (Turloughmore) for Fleming (60) 24. Conor Cooney (St. Thomas') for Concannon (66) 21. Ronan Glennon (Mullagh) for Burke (69) Wexford: 1. Mark Fanning (Glynn-Barntown) 5. Conor Foley (Horeswood) 3. Liam Ryan (Rapparees) 7. Eoin Ryan (St. Anne's Rathangan) 10. Richie Lawlor (Faythe Harriers) 6. Damien Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien) 9. Charlie McGuckin (Naomh Éanna) 4. Simon Donohoe (Shelmaliers) 8. Conor Hearne (Shelmaliers) 20. Jack O'Connor (St. Martin's) 17. Séamus Casey (Oylegate-Glenbrien) 13. Cathal Dunbar (Naomh Éanna) 12. Kevin Foley (Rapparees) 11. Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers) 14. Rory O'Connor (St. Martin's) Substitutes: 26. Conor McDonald (Naomh Éanna) for Casey (50) 15. Cian Byrne (St. Mogue's Fethard) for J O'Connor (53) 22. Jack Redmond (Rathnure St. Anne's) for Lawlor (58) 21. Cian Molloy (Naomh Éanna) for McGuckin (67) Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
