by Julie Tomasik
Editor
The agriculture, forestry and commercial fishing industries face persistently high levels of stress, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted that suicide rates for the farming community are high.
To help address the stress support need within the farming community, the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education (SW AG Center) partnered with the AgriSafe Network and the Texas Department of Agriculture to launch Resources .
Those resources are available on the SW Ag Center webpage. The Agristress Helpline has also been launched for Texas, and those who wish to access it for immediate assistance can call 833.897.2474.
Not only is it important for the agriculture, forestry and commercial fishing industries to have resources at their disposal during a crisis, but it is also important to know what the stress looks like in oneself and others,
“Simply put, essential workers need essential mental health resources. Yet, when resources are made available, some rural residents are unable to access them due to constraints such as cost, location and stigma,” said an SW Ag Center news release.
A recent study released by the American Farm Bureau Federation states that most rural adults (52%) and farmers/farm workers (61%) are facing more stress and mental health challenges than they were a year ago, And they are seeking care because of the increased stress.
The study showed that stigma about seeking help or treatment for mental health has decreased, but it remains a factor, especially in agriculture.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, “It is up to each of us to continue to seek out our family, friends and neighbors and let them know that they are not alone when they face increasing stress with the daily business of farming and animal husbandry.” feel it.” in a news release earlier this year.
Access resources from the SW Ag Center here.
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their stress levels or mental health, see a crisis hotline, treatment locator, information about ways and means to help someone in emotional pain For the form visit the State of Mind website. Start conversations and resources for managing stress, anxiety or depression.
