Rural Response to Farmer Mental Health and Suicide Prevention – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
May 22, 2023 - Georgians living in rural communities continue to call into the national suicide prevention hotline at higher rates than other parts of the state as the one-year anniversary of the rollout of 988 approaches. Calls to Georgia's crisis center have increased by about 12%, but a federal estimate projects those calls will double once the new three-digit number is promoted through a marketing campaign, which is coming later.
Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press
May 18, 2023 - U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Joni Ernst of Iowa led a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing the Farmers First Act of 2023, legislation to address the mental health epidemic in rural America and expand access to critical mental health support and resources for agricultural communities.
Source: Office of Senator Tammy Baldwin
Apr 23, 2023 - Describes a program between the Champaign County Farm Bureau and the Carle Illinois School of Medicine in Urbana to incorporate agriculture specific health and safety issues into the curriculum. Students take field trips to farms and then present on issues and potential solutions. Discusses broadband problems, physical injuries, mental health, and access to healthcare.
Source: Jacksonville Journal-Courier
Apr 19, 2023 - Describes factors surrounding the death of a Wisconsin dairy farmer by suicide and efforts by health professionals and religious leaders to provide help for farmers suffering from depression and anxiety. Discusses higher rates of suicide among farmers compared to the general population. Subscription may be needed to read the entire article.
Source: New York Times
Apr 15, 2023 - Highlights a bill in the Oregon State Senate to fund a state suicide helpline for agricultural workers struggling with mental health issues.
Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting
Last Updated: 5/23/2023