U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) earlier this month sponsored a bipartisan resolution to raise awareness around mental health in America’s agricultural industry and workforce, and to continue to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
“Farmers, ranchers, and ag workers have some of the toughest jobs in the country,” Sen. Fischer said on May 26. “Right now, a struggling farm economy is making life even harder — and it weighs heavily on the minds of those who feed and fuel our nation.”
Specifically, Sen. Fischer on May 13 sponsored Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 727 alongside 21 original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) to designate May 29 as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.
“This resolution designates May 29 as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day and sheds light on the resources available for those in need,” said Sen. Fischer. “I thank my colleagues for joining this bipartisan, bicameral effort as we keep working to ease the strain in farm country.”
U.S. Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL) and Kim Schrier (D-WA) introduced a companion resolution, House Resolution 1301, in the House on May 19.
“Our farmers are proud, salt of the Earth people, but they face tremendous pressures in a tough industry,” Rep. Bost said. “The stress that comes with the profession is real, with a suicide rate 3.5 times higher than the general population. This legislation is a step towards making sure they know that if they’re struggling, they don’t have to struggle alone.”
The resolution seeks to create awareness for the unique challenges agricultural producers and workers face, such as weather unpredictability, labor intensity and shortages, farm succession, and fluctuating commodity and market prices.
Additionally, the resolution highlights the resources available through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in connecting agricultural producers and workers to stress assistance programs, according to its text.
Numerous organizations support the legislation, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Farmers Union, the American Soybean Association, the National Pork Producers, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Farm Credit Services of America, among many others.