When you think of Fall in Northwest Missouri, many think of football games and cooler weather, but if you grew up in a rural community, Harvest season is what first comes to mind. I grew up in a town of less than 300, which heavily relies on our farming community. Although our family did not farm, we helped with planting and harvesting seasons every year. Even today, I find myself giving rides and providing meals in the field to help in any way I can. I do this because I know the toll harvest season takes on farming families and the farmers who work all day and night to get the job done. I know the risks they take with safety and financial security. I know their mental health struggles that are often hidden, silent, and go unnoticed.Â
Suicide rates have risen 33% in the last 20 years, and even more so in our rural communities. Between 2000-2020, suicide rates increased 46% in non-metro areas compared to 27.3% in metro areas. Recent studies have shown that occupational groups of “farming, fishing, and forestry” have elevated rates of suicide compared to other occupational groups.
Why is this population more at risk?
So why are individuals in rural populations more at risk for suicide and mental health issues? Research by Scheyett et al. (2024) showed the following factors:
- Geographic isolation. Access to care (primary care, hospitalization, or mental health services) is scarce in farming communities.
- Inflexible work schedules. Farmers work long hours, even overnight. They’re always ‘on call’ and ready to handle emergencies. Whether it’s a cow that has complicated labor, a work injury, an issue that arises with equipment, or a rush to plant before a storm, scheduling time for therapy or a doctor’s visit can be a challenge.
- General factors such as age, sex, and access to means. Men, specifically older men, are more likely to complete suicide. Farmers and rural residents often have access to firearms, which contributed to 55% of suicide-related deaths in 2022.
- Stigma. Farmers are reluctant to discuss emotions or needs. Discussing things like depression, suicide, and stress may be viewed as a weakness. Pride accompanies this, as many rural individuals don’t want to ask for help.
What Can We Do?
We can all work to improve the culture around mental healthcare in rural communities by continuing to discuss and normalize mental health struggles and providing resources for coping skills, social supports, and referrals to help. We can also engage with places within rural networks, such as extension offices, seed companies, equipment companies, veterinarian services, financial companies, and clergy, to get information to improve mental health literacy and access to care. Lastly, we can encourage communication within the community and focus on increasing communication between families and peers.Â
On an individual level, we can inform these communities about ways to decrease stress and improve daily habits, such as prioritizing sleep and rest, eating healthy meals, increasing social engagement, and engaging in religious or spiritual activities. All of these things help to protect against mental health struggles.
If you live in a rural area or are part of a farming community or family, please encourage discussions around mental wellness, self-care, and seeking support. There are mental health therapists, medical providers, and clergy who understand the impacts of rural living on mental health. Below are some additional resources that can help.Â
Embark Counseling Services is also here for you. We provide counseling to those in rural parts of Missouri and Kansas and offer online/telehealth counseling options to help ease access to essential mental health care for individuals in these areas. Please reach out for support today.
Additional Resources:
Missouri Department of Agriculture, Farm Stress: https://tinyurl.com/y5mapbh9
The AgriStress Helpline (call or text 833-897-2474) is available 24/7. It provides mental health support through assessing immediate needs, for example, the potential for self-harm. The Helpline is attended by professionals trained in the issues faced by farmers and farm workers.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network that provides free and confidential support 24/7. Dial the three-digit code 988 to access the Helpline. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss, there is a chat option on their website.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, July 18). Suicide data and statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.htmlÂ
- Garnett MF, Curtin SC, Stone DM. Suicide mortality in the United States, 2000–2020. NCHS Data Brief, no 433. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc:114217
- Murillo-Williams, A., & D Fenton, PhD, G. (2023, June 6). Why we need to keep talking about farm stress. Penn State Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/why-we-need-to-keep-talking-about-farm-stressÂ
- Scheyett, A., Marburger, I. L., Scarrow, A., Hollifield, S. M., & Dunn, J. W. (2024). What Do Farmers Need for Suicide Prevention: Considerations for a Hard-to-Reach Population. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 20, 341–352. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S452561
- Sussell A, Peterson C, Li J, Miniño A, Scott KA, Stone DM. Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:1346–1350. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7250a2
