OMAHA (DTN) -- Farming can be challenging. While financial challenges are often at the top of the list, farmers can be subject to extreme mental challenges as well.
A new study will focus on how farmers decide to seek help for their mental well-being. It will look at their help-seeking behaviors and the many factors that influence these decisions.
WANTED: FARMER INPUT ON MENTAL HEALTH
The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) is a collaboration of five leading research and health care institutions, mainly in the state of Minnesota. This group addresses existing and emerging occupational health and safety issues in agriculture.
UMASH researchers are now seeking direct input from farmers for financial and mental health well-being interviews, according to an UMASH press release. This input will provide critical insights needed to develop more effective, targeted programs and policies that will help support farm families in navigating the unique pressures they face.
They would like to talk to farmers living in Minnesota (focus on Fillmore and Wright counties), South Dakota (focus on Brown and Minnehaha counties) or Wisconsin (focus on Clark and Dodge counties).
The one-hour interviews will be done via Zoom or phone between now and April 2025. All responses will be kept anonymous and summarized for sharing with policymakers, farm organizations and service providers.
UMASH said farmers' input will play a critical role in creating actionable recommendations to strengthen future programs and policies to support the health, well-being and economic viability of farm communities.
Farmers who do wish to participate will receive $50 for their time. Those interested should visit https://redcap.ctsi.psu.edu/… or contact project manager Sarah Ruszkowski at sarah.ruszkowski@psu.edu or (814) 865-4982.
STUDY: HOW DO FARMERS SEEK MENTAL HELP
The project's specific aims include mapping the contextual determinants of farmer's help-seeking behaviors, describing their help-seeking behaviors and mental health challenges. In addition, the study wants to assess their effectiveness in reducing mental health burden.
UMASH said farmers and ranchers experience greater mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, depression and suicide compared to other occupational groups. In 2016, 43.2 farm men per 100,000 died by suicide, compared to 27.4 per 100,000 for all occupations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These challenges can lead to broad health and economic issues, including reduced quality of life, increased risk of occupational injuries, increased healthcare costs and loss of productivity and income, according to UMASH.
Since the beginning of the project in 2022, UMASH researchers have been gathering valuable data from these three states to help them gain a deeper understanding of the mental health challenges farmers face. Gathering insights on available resources and programs supporting farmers' financial and mental health, the team has interviewed key invested groups, including farm organizations, state and local agencies, university extension professionals, healthcare professionals, mental healthcare advocates and community leaders.
This UMASH research has contributed to the national conversations about mental health in agriculture, with several presentations, publications and media interviews. These efforts have helped raise awareness and shape future strategies for supporting farmers and their families.
Researchers from Pennsylvania State University, University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University are involved with this study.
FARMER MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSED IN CONGRESS
In a U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing earlier this week, the issue of mental health and America's farmers was discussed.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., talked about the pressure America's food producers are under in today's market. The Kansas senator stressed the importance of mental health awareness and community support for farmers and ranchers.
"And I want to back up and just say to all my farmers and ranchers, the pressure is real," Marshall said. "The pressure is very real. The pressure of losing a fifth, sixth, seventh generation farm, to be that person that couldn't keep the farm together in the family."
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said his organization has worked to bring awareness to this subject that is difficult for many to talk about. Their research found disturbing trends, he said.
"But we did a survey in Georgia, Florida area, and the alarming fact that we heard is that young farmers...I think that in less than 10 years, that 50% of them had considered suicide in that 10 years," Duvall said.
Russ Quinn can be reached at Russ.Quinn@dtn.com
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