Increased Suicide Awareness, Mental Health Efforts Needed To Support Kentucky Farmers
The Lexington Herald Leader
Janie Heath, Julie Marfell, Jennifer Hunter and Paul Norrod
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death among Americans. And while suicidal thoughts and mental health conditions can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background – there are particular occupations where suicide is more prevalent. One of these occupations is farming. With Kentucky being home to more than 125,000 farmers, the need to raise suicide awareness is vital and why Sept. 22, 2021, has been declared Farmer Suicide Prevention Day in Kentucky.
In Kentucky, 109 farmers died by suicide from 2004 – 2017, with the highest number of deaths occurring among farmers over age 64.
Today, the demand for farmers and stressors placed on the farming community is at an all-time high. Kentuckians, and all Americans, need access to quality food to support healthy eating and local economies.