When we think of rural lifestyles and farmers, we often think of idyllic landscapes and slow lives that allow people to cherish the moment, escape the hustle and bustle of city life, and have better mental health.
However, that is not always the case. When looking at the data, we see farmers in the last year:
35% of farmers experienced depression
25% of farmers felt their life was not worth living
57% of farmers experienced anxiety
45% of farmers reported high stress
Male farmers die by suicide at twice the rate of men in the general population.
Farming is one of the few jobs where you can work all year, and not be certain you will be paid. Natural disasters, weather, and more impact the crop that can be sent to market. Farmers are key to the American food supply and are often overlooked when we think of vulnerable populations.
I find this rural mental health day to be especially important in light of the severe devastation eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina faced in Hurricane Helene. As I have talked to colleagues, it has become clear that the flood impact for farmers will be playing out over the next decade as soil was covered with sludge or washed away. This means a complete re-start for farmers from the ground up. And, could seriously impact the viability of small family farmers (grossing < $350,000). Even more, if you were the generation who lost the farm that had been in your family for centuries, how would you feel?
Take time to check on your farming friends. It could save their life.
Learn More:
https://mhanational.org/rural-mental-health-crisis
