United States Senator Deb Fischer’s Weekly Column
Throughout my life, I have had many roles—daughter, wife, mother, school board member, and now as the U.S. Senator for Nebraska.
Yet, one of the most challenging roles I have had is that of a cattle rancher on our family ranch.
As any rancher, farmer, or farmworker knows, the agriculture industry is full of uncertainties. All too often, machinery breaks down, feed and grain prices fluctuate, unprecedented weather and disease hits; yet our ag producers push forward.
These daily uncertainties can take a toll. It is why farmers and ranchers face higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Sadly, farmer suicide rates are two to five times higher than the national average. In fact, suicide rates in rural areas are significantly higher as compared to urban areas.
In recent years, a focus on mental health advocacy has increased across the country. Now a common topic of discussion at universities, in corporate environments, or even at dinner tables, there is a collective push to openly acknowledge and explore the vital role mental health plays in our overall well-being.
But for many, discussing mental health still carries a stigma, which can discourage those in need from seeking help.
In a 2021 survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) alongside Morning Consult, 63% of farmers and workers reported a stigma around stress and mental health in the ag community. In the same study, researchers also found that while 42% of farmers and workers say they are experiencing more mental health challenges now than a year ago, only 21% have personally sought care.
Our producers and farm workers already face a host of unique challenges—feeding and fueling our world is no easy task. Access to mental health resources and assistance shouldn’t be among them.
In support of our ag producers, I introduced a resolution, alongside Senator Bennet from Colorado, designating May 29th as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. This past month, our resolution unanimously passed the U.S. Senate.
Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day is a day to promote the mental well-being and raise awareness of the unique challenges our farmers, ranchers, and workers face every day. It is also an opportunity to draw attention to the resources currently available for producers in need of assistance.
Today, I write to share some of those resources for our ag producers. I hope that those who read this will find the below resources helpful. I encourage you to share these with your friends and family members.
- Nebraska Rural Response Hotline is a comprehensive resource for farmers, ranchers, and rural residents across Nebraska. It offers free mental health vouchers and helps connect individuals to financial and legal professionals who understand the unique challenges of rural life.
- North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center links farmers, ranchers, and those working in other ag-related fields to a wide range of stress assistance programs, helping them navigate the pressures of the industry.
- Farm Foundation provides an anonymous, online peer-to-peer support community along with a library of self-paced mental health resources. It also offers free counseling and consultation services for farm family members aged 16 and older.
- American Farm Bureau Federation’s Farm State of Mind Directory has a list of mental health resources linked and available for anyone in the country.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
