Agricultural producers face suicide 3.5 times higher than the general population. The biggest stressors? Farm debt and the trickle-down effect felt by teens in the household.
The National Agricultural Crisis Hotline Act is a bipartisan bill introduced to help provide support, information, suicide crisis intervention, mental health support services, and related referral services.
The mental health crisis has hit farmers and ranchers over the past several years. They already face significant financial pressures managing their land in the face of small margins and have confronted external factors ranging from severe weather events that threaten livestock and crops to a tumultuous economic environment caused by inflation.
These are combined with a lack of access to mental health care and a strong stigma against asking for help.
The bill was introduced earlier this month by Reps. Dr. Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) in the U.S. House, and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).
“Our farmers and ranchers carry a heavy burden to put food on our tables every day. Unfortunately, that means many in our ag communities struggle with mental health — with a suicide rate three and a half times higher than other populations. My latest bipartisan bill provides resources to support our neighbors in crisis,” said Congresswoman Caraveo.
The hope is that while some states already have mental health lines, a national line will ensure that no matter where a farmer or rancher is, they can get the help they need.
“The National Rural Health Association supports Representative Caraveo and Representative Gonzales’ work to bolster farmer and rancher mental health through the establishment of a national agricultural crisis hotline. Efforts are needed to expand resources and ensure agricultural workers can receive the help that they need,” said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association.
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