(NewsNation) — America’s farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) told NewsNation there are many factors inherent in agriculture that put farmers and ranchers at a greater risk for mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression which can lead to suicide.
This story includes a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Farm life isolation can lead to anxiety, depression
“A man is not going to sit at a table and say, ‘Oh, I am stressed. I am so stressed.’ And then the one across from him will go, ‘Me too,'” said the wife of a farmer who participated in a study published in the National Library of Medicine.
That study found that pride was a big factor in farmers not sharing their feelings with others as it was looked at as a sign of weakness.
Additionally, farmers live in isolated environments and spend many hours alone, in a barn with livestock, in the cab of a tractor, or among acres and acres of fruit trees without another person in sight.
This sense of isolation, when paired with extreme stress, can lead to overwhelming mental health challenges, an AFBF spokesperson explained.
To be a farmer is to be often hardworking, dedicated, stoic and a bit reluctant to admit they are struggling with their mental health.
“Suck it up buttercup,” said researcher Anna Scheyett from the University of Georgia, who noted that’s a common phrase she has seen on things like T-shirts in Georgia.
In general, farmers take pride in their work and are known to value independent work with a mindset that they can “fix it themselves,” she said.
“It’s a very isolated way to make a living,” Scheyett said.
Financial stressors can take a toll on farmers
Farming is an inherently risky business. Workers often make a significant financial investment during the planting season, without any promise of being able to harvest a crop at the end of the growing season, according to AFBF.
Severe weather, invasive species or pests, extreme cold or heat, market fluctuations, lack of access to on-time farm labor, crop or livestock disease or equipment issues are just a few of the reasons a farmer may not see a return on their investment.
“Farming is the only profession you can do everything right and still go bankrupt,” Scheyett said.
Plus, farmers don’t receive a monthly paycheck, often waiting on the harvest to pay bills and reinvest for the next season.
She explained that it’s a huge part of the suicide risk of farmers.
“Part of the suicide risk is the unbelievable level of financial stress,” Scheyette said. “Farmers borrow off of prediction ahead of time and are expected to repay.”
Hurdles to mental health treatment
Many rural communities may not have access to providers in their communities — 65% lack mental health professionals, according to Cornell University researchers.
Farmers may not have the time to travel an hour to and from the closest therapist, nor do they necessarily want others to see their truck parked outside, Scheyett said. Telemedicine isn’t an option for everyone either as not every farmer has internet or reliable phone service.
There’s also the problem that mental health professionals might not fully understand farming and don’t know how to connect with their clients. In some cases, it causes a schism between the client and the provider.
More mental health options for farmers
There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution for preventing suicide in farm communities, but AFBF said anything Americans can do to help “reduce the unpredictable nature of being in the business of farming is a worthy cause.”
If an individual is close to someone who farms, AFBF has a section on our Farm State of Mind website focused on helping folks start the conversation about mental health. It starts with recognizing the warning signs of someone in emotional pain like drastic changes in routine or decreased interest in activities a loved one once enjoyed.
There’s also free, on-demand training to help people learn more about how to approach the topic of suicide and mental health with someone they know.
AFBF has a variety of additional resources available on its website. It includes a national directory of mental health resources for farmers along with tips for coping with stress and anxiety.
Another option is Togetherall, an anonymous online peer-to-peer support community that is completely free for farmers and their family members all across the country ages 16 and up.
Not only are there more groups for farmers to turn to, but there are programs in place to educate rural areas on mental health risks and to help encourage farmers to speak out about how they’ve found success accessing mental health resources.
Changing mental health stigma
“The first step to ending the stigma around mental health — not just in rural communities but in society as a whole — is to simply let it be OK not to be OK and have those tough conversations with loved ones,” an AFBF spokesperson said.
To fight the stigma around mental health, Americans can check up on those around them and check in with themselves as well.
Something as simple as a text message or phone call to a loved one can help lighten their mental load. The AFBF has also found that farmers telling their personal stories of struggle is an extremely impactful way of normalizing the conversation and reducing mental health stigma.
One of the main objectives of AFBF’s Farm State of Mind campaign is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health wellness for farmers and ranchers. The federation has been working since 2018 to help build awareness, start conversations around mental health and provide resources for rural communities.
Scheyett said it’s also important for championed people who experienced their own mental health journey to stand up and help educate their peers. Farmers who have gone through these experiences and who have received help are the most effective way to encourage other farmers to open up, Scheyett said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.