In response to the economic downturn the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention, NOSP, has launched a "tough economic times" programme following requests from organisations such as citizens advice and MABS for information and training for staff because of the increasing numbers of people presenting in distress. Farmers' marts were targeted with similar information as well as the major National Ploughing Championship event. At first this seems an unlikely area to target but given that farmers in the main work in isolation, they are probably the one group who have less contact with others and, therefore, it was important to target them.