Unfortunately, my family and I aren’t the only ones struggling to find answers to that unanswerable question. Over the past 20 years, suicide rates in rural America have been consistently higher than in urban areas, with some estimates putting it at least twice as high.
But suicide is not the only mental health-related crisis facing rural America. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 7.7 million people, or 23% of non-metropolitan adults, reported having some form of mental illness in 2022. .
Thanks to these alarming statistics, and conversations with farmers and ranchers across the country, we are publishing a special series, Mental Health Hope and Help, that addresses the critical issue of rural mental health. . May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, so check out our articles and columns at www.DTNPF.com. For more information and mental health resources, visit our Rural Mental Health Spotlight page at https://spotlights.dtnpf.com/…
No matter where you live, mental health is not an easy topic for everyone to talk about. It can be especially difficult in rural areas because of the stigma around this subject. But this is an important issue to address. Farmers and ranchers face unique challenges every day that are outside of their control and can cause significant stress and lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Extreme weather events can damage or wipe out entire crops and injure or kill livestock. Prices of crops and livestock may fall to levels that do not cover production costs. Government regulations can add additional costs and red tape to your business. Input costs can rise and eat into your hard-earned profits.
Rural culture teaches us to be tough and pull ourselves up through difficult times like these. That attitude helps you tackle the tough challenges associated with farming and ranching. But when it comes to our mental health, and more importantly our overall health, acting alone can have dire, even fatal consequences.
Help is available to help prevent such tragic outcomes. Just ask farmers Bob Worth and Nathan Brown. He shared his story of how he struggled with mental health issues but was able to overcome them thanks to the support of professional therapists and the community. For them, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
We hope this series provides useful information on how to maintain your mental health, recognize when something is wrong, and find the right help when you need it. We also hope to encourage conversation among farmers and ranchers about this important topic. It’s past time to talk openly about mental health without shame and to seek help when you, your family, or your neighbors are experiencing mental health issues.
As I and many others who have lost loved ones to suicide, like my uncle Arn, have sadly learned, remaining silent about mental health issues can have devastating consequences. Let’s work together to eliminate the stigma surrounding this critical issue and bring hope and help to those suffering.
Anthony Greder can be reached at anthony.greder@dtn.com.
Follow him on social platforms X @AGrederDTN
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