The agriculture business has become increasingly unstable. Financial uncertainty, physical isolation and increasingly unpredictable crop yields linked to climate change are just some of the stressors that are fueling a mental health crisis among farmers. The anxiety can be overwhelming—especially in many farming communities that have historically struggled with access to mental health services and the stigma of seeking help. A recent CDC study of occupational suicide risk found that male farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers had a suicide rate more than 50 percent higher than the overall suicide rate of men in all surveyed occupations. Research also suggests that farmers have increased risk of heart disease caused in part by chronic stress and hardships from the job.

Three out of four farmers and farm workers in the United States say they have been impacted by opioid addiction. Why are farmers disproportionately at risk for poor mental health, opioid addiction, and even suicide? That's a question David Buys, Mississippi State University associate professor and Mississippi’s state health specialist, seeks to answer through an initiative he's leading. By digging deep to find the root cause, Buys believes steps can be taken to manage the mental health risks farmers face.

Did you know that the rate of suicide among farmers is 3.5 times higher than the general population? It’s a startling statistic and a sign of the daily stress that comes with farming. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), between 2000 and 2002 suicide rates climbed 46% in rural areas. By comparison, the rate in metro areas climbed 27.3%. Stephanie Weatherly, chief clinical officer for Psychiatric Medical Care, says not only is the rate of suicide higher in rural communities, but it’s especially high for elderly citizens. 

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension recently launched a new podcast — “Farm Stress Real Talk” — that focuses on supporting farmers, farm families and workers in the commercial agriculture industry who are experiencing stress. Listeners now can stream or download all five episodes of the first season. Ginger Fenton, dairy extension educator, noted that podcasts are a convenient resource for farmers. “We know farmers are busy, so we thought a podcast with targeted, practical information would be a good way to reach them,” she said. “Farmers can listen to the podcast while doing chores or operating machinery. The episodes are around 10 minutes to fit into a farmer’s busy day.” 

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has put forth proposed legislation designed to address the mental health needs of farmers. Gillibrand’s National Agricultural Crisis Hotline Act would establish a 24/7 national crisis hotline to provide real-time live assistance catered to the unique needs of farmers, ranchers and their families. The hotline would be staffed by crisis specialists, licensed health care and mental health professionals with knowledge of the agriculture experience who can provide suicide crisis intervention, mental health and substance use disorder support and agriculture-related referral services.

Agriculture is a stressful occupation, and farmers face substantial mental health challenges. Research indicates they often experience higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to the general population, but less is known about the effects on their families. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explores how economic stressors affect the mental health of U.S. farmers and their adolescent children.

Is it any wonder there is a mental health crisis in rural America? Hurricanes, floods, regulations, lawsuits, high input prices, low commodity prices — and those are just a few of the challenges farmers face. Add to that the pressure to maintain the family farm, one that gets harder with each generation. Finally, factor in that farmers, and as an extension farm families, are tough and often reluctant to talk about their feelings. We aren’t good at asking for help. 

From epidemic illnesses impacting pigs to falling commodity prices to increasing farm debt load, many factors cause stress among pig farmers today. Find out how to recognize the warning signs of stress, practical ways to deal with tough times and 3 tips to get your health on track in Farm Journal’s PORK’s new e-book, “Your Guide to Mental Health.” As National Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, check out these 10 articles that tackle mental health and suicide awareness to help reduce the stigma so many experience.

Two factors that make production agriculture an ideal occupation for many farmers — working in the country and being independent — are also catalysts for a mental health crisis in rural America. Isolation and the fierce independence in agriculture create an environment where mental health issues thrive, says Oklahoma State University Extension Professor of Economics Shannon Ferrell.

“Many common factors in production agriculture tend to isolate us, physically and emotionally,” Ferrell said. Ferrell explained that late in the 2010s rural America “was on the precipice of a farm crisis that looked a lot like the 1980s.”

"The last 20 years have been terrible," Jim Kalbach told CBS News. "You gotta be great big or you just as well forget it. Five hundred acres won't do it anymore — you need 5,000." Those who remain are barely holding on. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, farmer suicide rates have spiked 40% in less than two decades.  That's why the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has launched a hotline to help. 

“We saw some statistics and it showed in a rural communities we were having a bigger issues. You think about it, farming by nature is fairly isolated, and then you remove people being able to go to churches and the schools are closed. And we know that can play into mental health,” said Pate.

Seeing a need, as we continue to navigate a pandemic, industry partners came together Monday for the inaugural mental health first aid training as part of the “A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm” initiative.

“There’s really no reason that somebody ought to struggle and feel like they’re on their own or have to do it by theirself,” said Pate. ”We all need help. We all need each other.”