THE FARM and Rural Stress Helpline established by the Southern Health Board, was contacted by 371 callers last year.
The helpline was set up as a practical response to help address the issue of loneliness and isolation experienced by people living in rural areas in Cork and Kerry.
A breakdown of the callers found 55 per cent of them were male, 62 per cent were single, half of them were living alone and 41 per cent cited depression and suicidal thoughts as their major health problems.
A total of 40 per cent of the callers said they had previously received treatment for depression. Forty-three per cent cited loneliness or no support as reasons for calling and 50 per cent sought further support from the helpline.
A health board spokesman said farm and rural stress can be caused by a number of issues such as financial difficulties, addiction, abuse, loneliness, relationship problems or much more.
“However, people who live in rural communities are often affected by additional issues such as isolation; not just feeling lonely, but real physical isolation where they are miles from their nearest neighbour or village,” he said.
The number of calls last year had dropped from the previous year when 688 people had called. However, that year there had been widespread media advertising of the service, he said.
The Health Service Executive’s South’s Farm and Rural Stress Helpline can be reached on 1800-742645 and operates from 6pm-10pm daily.
It is staffed by professionally trained personnel.