BALDWIN, Wis. (WEAU) – Data shows farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, and it's an issue that affects many communities, with professionals and agricultural workers coming together Monday to address the issue.
“My father committed suicide on our family farm,” said Jennifer Webster, an Ellsworth, Wis., resident and founder of the Farmer Angel Network of Western Wisconsin. “To me, this is personal. It's a deep shock and I don't want this to happen to anyone else.”
Discussing suicide and mental health can be difficult, but it's a conversation that must be had.
“We know that there are higher rates of mental health issues and especially suicide among agricultural workers,” said Dr. Sarah Kohlbeck, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. “We know that agricultural workers face a variety of stressors throughout their lives that can lead to mental health issues and an increased risk of suicide.”
At Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin, agricultural experts and health care workers discussed ways to help farmers struggling with mental health issues through an event hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension and the Farmer Angel Network of Western Wisconsin.
“We want to educate them about those unique stressors so they know what to look out for when assessing whether their patients have an underlying mental illness,” Kohlbeck said, “We also share a lot of information about local and state resources for farm mental health and peer support, which is really important in building connections.”
From the pressures of running and maintaining a farm to financial hardships, farmers experience a lot of stress in their daily lives.
“It's really a lifestyle that requires 24/7 attention and work and it can be very taxing on people,” Kohlbeck said.
However, it is hoped that through such discussions we can address these challenges and help those in need.
“We knew he was suffering and that he wasn't necessarily getting the care he needed to get through his illness, but we realized that in our area, there wasn't really anything that covered any of that,” Webster said. “We want to break down those barriers and basically reiterate that it's okay to not be okay.”
Summit officials said recognising the signs of stress, taking action and having resources to share can help people support those around them.
Additional mental health resources for farmers can be found below:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 24/7 to trained crisis counselors who help people in crisis and their families with mental health-related distress. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Farm Wellness Program offers the following services: 24/7 WI Farm Wellness Helpline: Provides 24/7 support to farmers struggling with suicidal thoughts, depression and anxiety. 1-888-901-2558 Telecounseling: Free, confidential counseling sessions with licensed mental health professionals. Available by phone or video. 1-888-901-2558 Counseling Vouchers: Access to free in-person counseling services with participating local mental health providers. 1-800-942-2474. Wisconsin Farm Center offers financial consulting, transition planning, mediation and arbitration, veteran farmer support and outreach, and herd-based diagnostic programs. 1-800-942-2474 Harvest of Hope: Farm families can apply for financial assistance to pay for stopped utilities and other bills. Call 608-836-1455. Covering Wisconsin connects Wisconsinites to health insurance and other health programs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service for people and families struggling with mental and substance use disorders. 1-800-662-4357.
Additional information about the Western Wisconsin Farmer Angel Network can also be found here.
Copyright 2024 WEAU. All rights reserved.
