Aiding farmers and rural residents with mental health struggles

Agricultural producers have one of the highest suicide rates of any industry in the nation but can be hesitant to seek help when struggling with their mental health or have limited access to mental healthcare. Land-grant institutions across the country have implemented programming targeting mental health concerns.

Here are a few examples of that work:

The Farmer Focus Project surveyed producers in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia to better understand the specific stressors affecting them and the support services they would find helpful. The project then facilitated the creation of a robust network among island farmers, produced resources tailored to the lives of farmers in the Western Pacific Islands and certified 21 individuals across the region in mental health first aid.
_{University of Guam, College of Micronesia-FSM, Northern Marianas College, Montana State University, Washington State University; project supported by USDA capacity-Extension funding. See full statement.}

Michigan programs include teletherapy services and online and in-person educational programs on topics such as farm financial decision-making, mental health first aid and managing stress. In addition, Extension staff work within their communities to provide information and training tools to local farm organization chapters, leaders, stakeholders and media outlets.
_{Michigan State University; project supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) funding. See full statement.}

In Missouri, Farm and Ranch Stress programming includes free mental health classes, suicide prevention programs and stress/depression awareness resources, as well as free teletherapy counseling services to reach all 114 counties. Another tactic includes creating networks of community support systems for identifying needs, training and distribution of tools and resources.
_{University of Missouri; project supported by Smith-Lever 3d and other USDA competitive funding. See full statement.}