When combining adults and youth, Oregon ranks worst in the nation for people experiencing mental illness in the past year, according to the 2025 State of Mental Health in America report.
Among age groups 15 and older, Oregon’s 15-to-19-year-olds have the lowest suicide rate, 12 per 100,000, while those 85 and older have the highest, 48 per 100,000. Still, that rate is only a fraction of the rate for farm, ranch, forestry and fishing workers—123 per 100,000.
Contributing to the high rate, Haskins says, is the culture and structure of these rural industries. “These people work in isolation, long hours, and don’t have great access to mental health care…and have very high rates of injury.”
In addition, farmers and ranchers often work for businesses that have been handed down for generations. Beyond the uncontrollable stresses of weather and fluctuating commodity prices, Haskins says, “they may also be under stress of loss of identity, loss of reputation” in their communities if they have to quit or go out of business.
In Oregon, between 2019 and 2023, the leading means of suicide was firearms (54%), followed by suffocation (25%).
The second-highest rates of suicide are found in the arts, design, sports and media, closely followed by the construction trades, according to OHA data.
Mental health resources:
People needing mental health support or thinking of harming themselves can dial 988, a free helpline that connects those in need with a counselor who listens to a caller’s situation and gives confidential, individualized support.
The AgriStress Helpline® is a free, confidential 24/7 crisis support and resource line for people working in agriculture, fishing, forestry, and logging that is available by phone or text message at 833-897-2474.