(KY3) – No matter your profession, mental health plays an important part in your well-being. In agriculture, it is no different.
“I even lost one of my best friends to suicide a few years ago, and that is tough. I think the reminder to folks is you don’t have to do this alone,” said Garrett Hawkins, Missouri Farm Bureau President.
According to the National Rural Health Association, the suicide rate among farmers is 3.5 times higher than that of the general population.
“I heard from a farm bureau member at a national meeting share that the decision his father made was a permanent one – that his family has had to deal with for the rest of their lives,” said Hawkins.
According to the Rural Health Information Hub, when it comes to stressors, factors such as falling commodity prices, natural disasters, increasing farm debt, labor shortages, and trade disputes can all impact a farmer’s mental health.
“You put all of that together, it really heightens the risk of those mental health crises,” said KC Rafferty, the Director of Community Engagement for the Missouri Behavioral Health Council.
According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, 91 percent of rural adults say mental health is important to them and their family. And 30 percent of farmers say mental health is not a problem in rural communities. But, for the Missouri Behavioral Health Council, it may be more about the stigma of mental health.
“Because of the stigma, like you said, just pull our bootstraps up, and keep on working. But there is a sense of isolation in our rural areas, especially. They may be in small communities, where they know a lot of the same people, so they are less likely to reach out for help,” said Rafferty.
For those that advocate for farmers and ranchers, they know help is only a call or click away.
“Try to make sure we are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to trying to help just one. Just trying to save as many people as we can and connect them with resources. Trying to tear down any stigma associated with asking for help,” said Hawkins.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 for help.
“You matter, there are people around you that care,” said Rafferty.
The Farm State of Mind, through The American Farm Bureau, has resources you can access by clicking here.
The Farm Foundation has links to resources you can access by clicking here.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has a webpage dedicated to resources as well.
Agri Safe Network can help when it comes to aiding farmers and rural Americans. Its website can be found here.
Rural Minds is an organization that advocates for rural mental health, and their website can be found by clicking here.
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