BROOKINGS, S.D. (KELO) — Men who farm and ranch are at a higher risk of suicide than the general population. Because of this, an SDSU associate professor is working with counselors, to help them better understand people in agriculture and the struggles they face.
Because of the flooding this summer, many farmers may be feeling more stress as they find out what is and isn’t salvageable. According to the National Rural Health Association, farmers are already three and a half times more likely to die by suicide over the general population. This is why training counselors on how to relate to farmers is so important.
“The concern that I hear from producers is that if I go and seek help, they won’t understand what I do. And so the training is really to encompass what’s going on with producers, what are their daily tasks, what are their daily stressors, what does that life look like?” SDSU Associate Professor/Extension Specialist-Mental Health, Andrea Bjornestad said.
At the training, counselors are learning about the agriculture culture, and how to better understand farmers.
“We’ve had amazing extension panels and actually actual farmers who have spoken, who have given the real life experiences of the farm life and ranch life, to understand what they experience in life and how that’s different from other people’s lives,” founder of Rising Help Counseling, Jill Janecke said.
“And giving the counselors a new perspective on actually, you know, agriculture is its own culture. So really educating them on this culture to be aware of all of these different things,” Bjornestad said.
As these counselors prepare themselves to help farmers amidst the flooding, and in the years to come.
“Farmers have such a strong pride that they need to be successful for their family and provide for their family. And when these natural disasters happen, like the flooding, it really impacts, you know, what they’re producing and how it is. And it can create a lot of stress,” Janecke said.
“With the recent flooding, hopefully people who are struggling will decide to make that step to go talk to somebody. And all of these counselors now have a background in understanding and knowledge of agriculture,” Bjornestad said.
Click here for more information on SDSU’s study of mental health and agriculture.
If you or someone you know does struggle with mental health or suicidal thoughts, there is help.
988 is the Suicide Hotline number, with people ready to talk to you.
Farm and Rural Stress Hotline: 1-800-691-4336
