It appears to be a broader epidemic than just the US. Australian media also report that rural suicides (particular polarised amongst older farm owners and youn

It appears to be a broader epidemic than just the US. Australian media also report that rural suicides (particular polarised amongst older farm owners and young people) has been on a marked increase over the past decade. Over here it has been mostly attributed to the extended drought, and the general decline of agriculture as a core factor of GDP, as well as the popularity of hard drugs like ice in rural areas. Not sure if that correlates with the conditions in rural US as well.